Derbyshire couple named in catering industry power list
Hartshorne couple, Andrew Wilson and Carolyne Vale, co-founders of Ashby-based Wilson Vale, have been named in The Caterer’s Top 100, which lists the most influential individuals who are having the biggest impact on the UK hospitality industry.
The rankings include hoteliers, restaurateurs, contract caterers, pub and bar operators and chefs, including celebrity chefs, Heston Blumenthal, Jamie Oliver, Raymond Blanc and Marcus Wareing.
Listed at Number 46, Carolyne and Andrew are the only independent contract caterers to appear within the top 50 places.
Andrew Wilson, said: “Carolyne and I are both surprised and honoured to be on such an esteemed list of industry greats. It is wonderful that our values and standards have been recognised in this way.”
Wilson Vale’s audited year-end financial results for December 2017 show that the independent caterer’s turnover was up by 20 per cent, moving it beyond £30m for the first time.
Wilson Vale added eight contracts to its portfolio throughout 2017, including several extensions to existing business.
“Our consistent and careful approach is clearly working, and we are pleased to report a very positive set of results,” said Wilson.
“We believe that the outlook for 2018 is also positive, although we are not expecting the same level of growth as 2017 as all the stars aligned perfectly last year. This year, we will have one off costs for our new, highly specified 8,000sq ft corporate headquarters in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in Leciestershire. We feel that this investment is the right thing to do for the longer-term strength and reputation of the business.
“The risks associated with the business for the future are within the wider economy and business confidence generally. However, being privately owned gives us the flexibility to make sensible long-term decisions for the benefit of a stronger business – and not the short-term equity markets.
“What is important is that we stick to our chosen path of retaining our culture, our focus on food and people, and of course, looking after our clients with complete individual focus.”
2018 has already started strongly with the opening of Kent College Pembury, Wilson Vale’s first independent school south of the Capital. Under a three-year contract worth £750,000 in annual turnover, the independent caterers opened the new contract on 8th January to provide catering services to 600 pupils and 200 staff.
The company’s latest gain is a catering contract with healthcare specialists and research company, Bionical, at their new waterside corporate headquarters in Willington, Derbyshire. The contract started on 5th March with a team of two providing catering services to 120 Bionical staff on site.
Wilson said: “To open a new contract in Derbyshire just a ten-minute drive from where we are investing in our own new HQ, is serendipity. We are looking forward to working collaboratively with our new client throughout 2018 and engaging with their teams, with the accent on wellbeing and nutrition.”
Graham McIntosh, chief executive of Bionical, said. “Working with Wilson Vale was an easy decision to make. Their passion for food and their focus on service is a perfect fit for Bionical. Having food that is made using fresh, healthy ingredients is a huge benefit for our employees and our clients who come to see us at our global HQ.”
Now one of few medium-sized independent caterers operating within the foodservice sector, Wilson Vale has a portfolio of 95 clients, mainly within the corporate sector, independent education and conferencing. Annual turnover is forecast at £33 million for year-end December 2018.
