Supplier movers and shakers: New starters at Sysco, Unox, Duetto and more

Unox makes double corporate chef hire

Cooking equipment supplier Unox UK has welcomed two new corporate chefs to its team: Thomas Bentham and Hrudhvi Anand. Bentham, previously key account manager at Unox, brings his knowledge of the business’s portfolio as well as industry experience as a sous chef to his new role. New recruit Anand was previously a commis pastry chef, pastry demi chef de partie and chef instructor based in Mumbai. Both will be tasked with understanding operator needs and providing Unox solutions for kitchens.

Food compliance business hands over MD baton

Food Alert, a provider of food safety and compliance services, has appointed Fraser Parramint as its new managing director. He will succeed David Bashford, who retires after 26 years with the company. Fraser brings more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in the food and hospitality industry, with roles at Marks & Spencer, Byron, the Restaurant Group and most recently as group operations director at the Bread Factory, where he implemented key operational strategies to drive efficiency, increase production and boost profitability.

March Foods nabs ex-Hobart UK managing director

Food and drink contract manufacturer and packer March Foods has appointed Tracy Southwell as managing director. Southwell brings with her nearly 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, having worked for companies including Florette, Barry Callebaut, New York Bakery and Unilever. In 2022, she became the first female managing director of cooking and warewashing equipment manufacturer Hobart UK. March Foods wants to use Southwell’s ‘hands-on’ leadership style and manufacturing expertise to reinforce its foundations, while accelerating its ambitious plans for growth and innovation.

Duetto transitions to new CEO

Hospitality revenue management software company Duetto is undergoing a strategic leadership transition, with David Woolenberg (right) stepping down as chief executive after six years at the helm. He will remain with Duetto during a transitional period to ensure continuity and support a handover to Alex Zoghlin (left), who is a current Duetto board member. Most recently he was chief executive of ATPCO and brings expertise in scaling technology businesses across the travel and hospitality sectors. Zoghlin will now aim to accelerate Duetto’s global expansion.

Marcus Coleman to step down as Seafish chief executive

In December 2025 Marcus Coleman is stepping down as chief executive officer at seafood industry public body Seafish. During his decade in post, he is credited with modernising Seafish and forging close connections with the diverse seafood sector across the UK. Under his leadership, Seafish stepped up to assist seafood businesses through Brexit, Covid and evolving geopolitical situations. Seafish is in the process of identifying Coleman’s successor.

RoomRaccoon hires new head of payments

RoomRaccoon, a hotel management system for independent hotels, has appointed Chaim Blog as head of payments to lead its global payment strategy and enhance the platform’s integrated financial tools. Blog has a background in SaaS, fintech and hospitality tech and brings expertise in building scalable payment solutions that can streamline operations and improve cash flow for hoteliers. His immediate focus will be on expanding local and alternative payment options, boosting adoption and evolving the platform’s commercial model.

Apetito evolves healthcare division

Meal supplier Apetito is evolving its healthcare division, amalgamating it with its local authority arm. As part of this transformation, Neil Hargreaves has been appointed general manager of the division, bringing much experience from his 13 years with the business. He will be supported by Louise Carter in her new role as deputy general manager, where she will lead on continuous innovation and foster Apetito’s NHS partnerships.

PPS recruits for growth

From left: Matthew Cross, Erin Brennan, Mia Prichard and Rob Gammon

Catering supplies wholesaler PPS has recruited six personnel across a variety of its core departments as part of its ambition to target growth in its new financial year. Adam Walker, Sam Metcalfe and Matthew Cross all join as drivers to bolster PPS’ delivery services and ensure the York-headquartered firm meets its maximum two-day delivery promise, while Mia Prichard joins as a new customer service advisor to help ensure the company’s clients can access the support they need. Senior team members Erin Brennan and Rob Gammon join as customer service manager and regional account manager respectively.

Ex-Tricon design consultant into FEA technical role

FEA has appointed Luke Slater as the association’s technical and policy director, a role which requires the ability to apply, interpret and explain catering equipment legislation and regulations. Slater has experience in both hospitality and the equipment supply chain, starting his career on the operational side of hospitality before joining Victor Manufacturing, initially in a business development capacity, then as contracts manager. He then joined C&C Catering Equipment as a project manager, delivering multimillion-pound B&I, hotel and leisure projects, before becoming senior design consultant at Tricon Foodservice Consultants.

Sephra prepares for expanded operations

Dessert and bakery products manufacturer Sephra Europe has promoted former operations manager John Laughlin to operations director. He has been with the business, which has its European headquarters in Kirkcaldy, for the past 12 years. Laughlin’s broader role will involve improving operations, including tightening up inventory control, driving better supplier performance and finding smarter ways to automate processes. He will also oversee the expansion of its warehouse and office space.

Senior executives join HotelRez

Hotel software provider HotelRez has appointed two senior executives to lead marketing and drive new business as it continues to expand its global footprint. Zukiswa Tuso (left) joins as head of marketing communications, with travel and hospitality experience encompassing tenures as brand manager at Avis Budget Group and South African casino, hotel and entertainment group Tsogo Sun, Karen McFall (right) becomes director of new business to further expand HotelRez’s presence in Europe. With more than 30 years’ experience, she previously played a key commercial role at BVS, as well as sales and leadership roles at Bespoke Hotels and Jurys Doyle.

Cater For You’s co-owner retires

John Le Grys (right), director and co-owner of catering disposables wholesaler Cater For You, has retired after more than 20 years at the business. His involvement with Cater For You began in 2005 when the company was transitioning from a start-up to a more established enterprise, initially handling warehousing and fulfilment in tandem with CSE Industrial Electrical Distributors. Throughout his tenure, he has assisted with key strategic initiatives, including the transition to more sustainable packaging materials, the development of e-commerce solutions and operational resilience. Founder and director Andy Watts (left) will now take on Le Grys’ duties.

Hotel tech firm finds finance head

Hotel management software firm RMS has appointed Chetan Arjun as chief financial officer as it strengthens its executive team to support global growth. Chetan brings more than two decades of financial experience across the technology and software sectors, having held senior roles at PwC, Coles Group and Crown Resorts, and most recently as chief financial officer at Lux Group.