Acorns 2020: Charlotte Partridge, 29

Senior procurement analyst, CH&Co

Nominator Jon Williams

Charlotte Partridge plays an extremely important role in managing the supply chain for more than 1,000 sites for CH&Co and guiding the procurement team. She reports monthly to the managing directors of the business, updating them on how sites are performing and advising on improvements and efficiencies that can be made. Her new style of reporting isolates the key information and has enabled decisions that have significantly contributed to the profitability of the company.

She has also managed the procurement support desk, which provides help and support for operations, improving response time by 53%.

She has played a strategic role in the company’s 10% reduction in carbon emissions, and has been heavily involved in the planning and integration of seven major acquisitions.

Recently she has joined a steering group formed by the Business Services Association that advises the government on its reforms to public procurement rules following Brexit. As part of a wider committee from across CH&Co, she is involved with the Prince’s Trust and supports local community projects.

Do you think the hospitality industry could be more sustainable? Not just in terms of plastics and waste but in terms of careers and diversity, training, and growth?

I think it’s more important than ever for the hospitality industry to aim for higher standards of sustainability. We’ve already seen great efforts in reducing consumption of single-use plastic, but there are still other significant challenges ahead, such as reducing food miles and carbon emissions.

Who is your hospitality hero?

All the individuals (employees and volunteers) who have worked hard to provide hospitality to key public health services and businesses that have remained open during lockdown, especially those supporting the NHS front line.