Catering sector has doubled in size, says BHA report

Catering and outsourced service providers are thriving according to a new report by the British Hospitality Association (BHA) that found the sector has doubled in size since 1993.

The Food & Service Management (FSM) Report, published today, revealed that the size of the market doubled to an annual turnover in excess of £4.25b between 1993 and 2013, while last year saw 80% of FSM members report increases in their net revenues.

Equal opportunities were also high on the agenda of the sector, which was found to be led by both men and women. With 89% of FSM members having at least one woman on their board and many far exceeding the FTSE 100 goal of 25% female board members by 2015.

Young people were found to make up a significant proportion of the sector's 132,000-strong workforce, with around 41% of new staff members employed in 2013 aged 30 and under.

Ufi Ibrahim, chief executive of the BHA, commented: "The causes which most matter to the hospitality community are the backbone of our work, and the FSM report showcases that this flourishing UK sector is promoting healthy lifestyles, providing healthy food, security, organisation and business support across UK companies.

"The report provides a picture of one of the most economically and socially relevant industries in the UK today."

2013: key statistics

• Annual turnover: £4,257m
• No of outlets: 14,429
• No of employees: 131,600