UK Catering Businesses Collaborate to Support Former Employees 

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17 August 2020

More than 20 companies and individuals from the foodservice sector are collaborating to support former employees who have been made redundant due to COVID-19.

“Food Service Circle” (FSC) is a platform aiming to offer support to those affected by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, with approximately 20 per cent of the workforce expected to be made redundant or face significantly reduced hours. 

The platform will function as a support network to allow them to stay connected, and continue to develop their skills and knowledge as they seek new employment.  

“We all have a real sense of duty to the people who have worked so hard to make our businesses the successes they have been, that’s why it was important for all of us to create this cohesive support network. I must credit my competitors for coming together in this crisis to support our industry.” 

–Wendy Bartlett

Founder, Bartlett Mitchell and board member of UKHospitality

CV Guidance, Training and Career Advice 

FSC, which has launched today, will offer free training, counsel, advice and job opportunities for former team members

Every week, the platform will house webinars and guidance for those seeking employment, with topics including CV writing, how to make the most of social media, the latest health and safety developments, and how to search for the right role.  

Leaders from each of the companies involved will also host insight sessions to update job seekers on the latest developments within their own business and the wider sector. 

Foodservice Sector Employed 293,000+ People in 2019

The foodservice sector is a major contributor to the hospitality sector, and the wider UK economy. According to the latest UKHospitality Food Service Management Market Report published in 2019, the UK’s FSM sector had a collective turnover of £10.9billion, employing more than 293,000. 

The FSC collaboration is an initiative created by the UKHospitality’s Foodservice Forum, where leading contract catering businesses from across the foodservice sector regularly meet to discuss issues affecting the industry. 

During the COVID-19 crisis, these businesses have worked closely to feed into UKHospitality’s guidance to Government.

The companies involved in FSC include: ABM Catering, Amadeus, Aramark, Artizian, Bartlett Mitchell, BaxterStorey, Blue Apple, Celtic Catering, Churchill, CH&Co, Compass Group, Elior, Genuine Dining Co, Graysons, Harrison, Houston and Hawkes, Lexington, OCS, Sodexo, Susa Comms and Vacherin.

Wendy Bartlett, Founder of Bartlett Mitchell and board member of UKHospitality, commented : “It has been heart-breaking to see how the pandemic has impacted some of the incredibly talented and loyal team members across all of our organisations. 

“We all have a real sense of duty to the people who have worked so hard to make our businesses the successes they have been, that’s why it was important for all of us to create this cohesive support network. I must credit my competitors for coming together in this crisis to support our industry.”

Picture: A photograph of some buffet equipment including plates and warmer trays

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 17 August 2020

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