Wilson Vale appoints new finance chief

Ashby-de-la-Zouch catering firm Wilson Vale has appointed a new finance boss.

Melissa Wallbank, former financial controller of the company, has been promoted to general manager (finance).

Wallbank joined Wilson Vale twelve years ago as an accounts assistant after graduating from Aston University in Birmingham with a degree in Managerial & Administrative Studies.

In 2012, she became financial controller of Wilson Vale until this recent promotion.

Melissa is now responsible for managing the finances of the £27m independent catering company, working closely with the co-founders, Andrew Wilson and Carolyne Vale. Her responsibilities cover everything from management accounts and IT to purchasing, strategic development and managing payroll for 720 staff. A team of ten reports directly to her.

Andrew Wilson, co-founder of Wilson Vale said: “Training and development have been critical to our success and our emphasis on home grown talent continues to reap business benefits. One of the joys of running a business is seeing others grow and Melissa has proved to be a talented member of the team who understands and supports our culture and our way of doing things.”

Melissa Wallbank said: “Nurturing talent from within is a key part of the company’s ethos and my promotion now gives other members of the Wilson Vale finance team opportunities so I look forward to assisting and supporting their development also.

“These are exciting times for Wilson Vale with the business thriving, and a new corporate office move planned for next year. One of my key objectives is to ensure that the finance department continues to be a robust support to the rest of the business, enabling our sales and operational teams to do what they do best.

“Our growth projections continue to be in the region of ten contract gains per year as it is important to safeguard our ethos and standards to ensure that client relationships stay at the heart of this business.”