Foodservice Cateys 2024: Regional Manager of the Year – Lucy Ager, BaxterStorey

This year’s Regional Manager of the Year was praised for her outstanding dedication to her team, clients and the wider industry.

Lucy Ager’s foodservice journey began with a placement year at CH&Co. In 2019, she moved to BaxterStorey, joining as catering manager at WeWork Waterloo in London, which is home to 6,000 employees. She was soon promoted to WeWork group manager, overseeing three locations, 20 team members and significant annual turnover.

Ever since, her career has grown from strength to strength. Ager has taken on numerous managerial roles, never shying away from a new challenge. In 2022, she threw herself into launching BaxterStorey’s first public restaurant, Compton, which included leading everything from restaurant design to chef recruitment, menu development and service training. In 2023, she received an Acorn Award in recognition of her talents, and in 2024, aged 29, she became BaxterStorey’s youngest accounts director, managing 10 sites and a team of 120, testament to her drive to secure additional tenant businesses wherever possible. Clients describe Ager as “always helpful and co-operative” and someone whose “professionalism, patience and client-centric approach has enabled us to overcome obstacles”.

Ager has demonstrated a genuine commitment to mentoring her staff. For example, Harry Butchart has transitioned from retail manager to general manager of Derwent London under her guidance, while Taz Tariq and Charlie Keenan Forbes were encouraged to join the Chef Academy by Ager. She is also mentoring newly promoted account manager Evelyn Partners. Fellow team members thank Ager for her “truly inspirational dedication to her team”, as well as her “ability to laugh even in the most stressful situations”.

Judges were equally impressed by Ager’s passion for her industry. She is a longstanding Springboard Ambassador and is also working with the Green Schools Project at Derwent London, where she is involved in reducing food wastage, as well as hosting mock interviews for ex-offenders who want to return to the workforce. And she supports young women in her team through her own diversity and inclusivity initiative, Young Woman in Hospitality.

The industry is lucky to have someone like Ager, who has already proven to be a fantastic role model so early on in her career. In the words of this year’s judges: “We will doubtless be seeing more of her.”

What the judges said

“Lucy focuses on development and her passion and energy is evident. Love the fact she is an advocate for young woman in hospitality – especially in a male-dominant kitchen.”

Natasha Boshott

“The strength of Lucy’s submission spoke for itself. The breadth of the role, and the strength of the relationships were outstanding. And if that wasn’t enough, to give back as much as she does is a credit to her.”

Emma Williams

“Lucy has excelled at every step in an interesting and inspirational career. We will doubtless be seeing more of her.”

Chris Stern

See previous winners of the award here