TUCO appoints new chairman Phil Rees-Jones

The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO), has announced the appointment of Phil Rees-Jones as chairman.

Rees-Jones will hold the role for a period of four years and will be responsible for the strategic leadership of TUCO’s membership.

Having been on the TUCO board since 2014, he has taken the lead on governance and determining a research strategy. In September 2016 he became the first vice-chair of TUCO, before taking up the reins from former chair Matthew White.

Mike Haslin, chief executive at TUCO, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Phil to the position of chairman. He enters the role at an extremely difficult and uncertain time, but his industry-leading experience will ensure TUCO and its members are fit for the future.”

As the new chair, Rees-Jones' immediate focus is to help members with a short- to medium term Covid recovery strategy and deliver a roadmap to help members operate differently and safely during Covid while under continuing financial pressure.

Rees-Jones is also deputy director of estates and campus facilities for Cardiff University and, within that role, is responsible for the commercially-run campus services.

Previous chair Matthew White continues in his role as director of catering, hotel and conferencing at the University of Reading.

TUCO is the leading membership organisation for public sector caterers and is a specialist procurement agent supporting multiple companies across the public sector in purchasing hospitality commodities.