Geoff Booth is the Westminster Kingsway College centre director for Hospitality, Leisure & Tourism and therefore closely involved in the training of students entering the industry

Val Carter, Corporate Responsibility (CR) director with Aramark UK. Val has been championing CR within the company and in the industry for more than five years.

Fergus Chambers for years ran Glasgow school, care and civic catering directly for the council, now runs Cordia, which runs the services for the council.

Alan Dewberry, involved for many years with Cost Sector Catering magazine and its annual awards. Has worked with organisations such as LACA, NACC and HCA to promote conferences and exhibitions.

 

Mike Duckett is catering manager at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London where he has pioneered liaison with the Soil Association and London Food Link to source local food and organic food.

 

David Foskett is associate dean at Thames Valley University where he has been working for the past 32 years preparing generations of caterers who now working in the industry.

 

Sue Harrison is head of catering at the House of Commons where she champions the quality and variety of British produce both to members and guests as well as to influential parties of visiting foreign legislators.

 

Garry Hawkes is former head Gardner Merchant, which became Sodexo UK. He is president of hospitality education foundation Edge and was knighted for his contribution to vocational training.

 

Derek Johnson, new chairman of the National Association of Care Catering (NACC) at a time when worries about an ageing population, dementia and malnutrition focus the media spotlight on his members.

 

Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at City University, London, since November 2002 and a regular advisor and consultant to both the UK Government and the World Health Organisation.

 

Prue Leith, chair of the School Food Trust since 2006, she made her name as a cookery school founder, restaurateur, caterer, TV cook, broadcaster and writer. Calls her role "the most important job I've had".

 

Alison Littley, chief executive of the Office of Government Commerce's (OGC.buyingsolutions) which works with public sector organisations to get best value for money when purchasing.

 

Richard McGloin, chairman of The University Caterers' Organisation (TUCO) whose members are responsible for food, drink and equipment budgets wroth tens of millions of pounds each year and whose customers are among the most 'savvy'.

 

Jeanette Orrey,School Meals Policy Adviser to the Soil Association and probably the most famous 'dinner lady' after her work to introduce fresh, healthy meals at St. Peter's School in Notts inspired Jamie Oliver.

 

Hugh Pennington is emeritus professor of bacteriology at University of Aberdeen and has been involved in major inquiries into outbreaks of ecoli disease in Scotland and South Wales.

 

Philippe Rossiter, chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality, which champions professionalism in the industry and offers training and qualifications that are recognised around the world.

 

Julia Sibley, chief executive of the Savoy Educational Trust, a grant giving body which aims to develop education, training and qualifications among students and young people coming into the hospitality industry.

 

Alan Tuckwood is head of prison catering in England and Wales, which makes him responsible for national contracts for food, drink and kitchen equipment that all 130 public sector operated prisons must use.

 

Kevan Wallace is chairman of Hospital Caterers' Association (HCA), the industry body with more than 400 members representing NHS Trusts in the UK delivering meals for patients and staff.