Bill Toner, the former chief executive of Aramark UK, is to join Hampshire-based Host Contract Management as non-executive chairman with immediate effect.
Scottish-born Toner is one of the most respected names in the UK’s foodservice sector becoming one of the first operators to join forces with high profile chefs such as Gordon Ramsey and Gary Rhodes to boost craft skills within contract catering.
Much of his 30-year career in the business has been spent with Sodexo, formerly Gardner Merchant, including five years as managing director. In 1999 he left Sodexo to become chief executive of Aramark UK, building the company into the UK’s third-largest contract caterer with over 1,000 contracts and an annual turnover of £310m.
Toner, 52, retired from Aramark in February 2005 and has since taken time out to renovate a listed building near Edinburgh and to travel with his family.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back into the business again and using the experience I’ve got in running large companies to help grow the Host business in the marketplace. Jerry Brand is a dynamic and challenging operator who I’ve known for many years. He and the team at Host have already impressed me with their enthusiasm, commitment and forward-thinking ideas,” he said.
Host managing director Jerry Brand commented: “Bill brings a huge amount of experience to our board as well as a fantastic track record, so we are delighted he is joining us. I’ve been trying to persuade him to work with Host for several years but now the time is right for him.
“Bill’s corporate experience will complement my entrepreneurialism. The focus going forward will be on taking advantage of the opportunities in the current marketplace with the benefit of our strong emphasis on bright ideas, honest food, passionate people, careful spending and an ethical approach.”
Toner will assist Brand and Host’s senior management team implement a five-year corporate development and growth strategy which includes establishing nine trading territories across the UK enabling Host to give clients local service on a national basis.
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For further information or an interview with either Bill Toner or Jerry Brand please contact Linda Pettit at Tilburstow Media Partners on 01737 823721/07973 789853 or email linda@tilburstowmedia.co.uk.
EDITOR’S NOTE
ABOUT HOST
Host is an independent, nationally based, environmentally friendly contract catering company, partly owned by the company management through an EMI share option scheme. The company was founded in 2004 and is directed by award winning contractor and former restaurateur Jerry Brand.
Host has contracts in Scotland, Wales and mainland England including business & industry, directors and partners dining rooms, conference facilities, independent (prep, senior and 6th form) schools, Beacon state schools, further and higher education, and the healthcare industry in care homes, hospices and hospitals. The Host organisation looks after 85 contracts and employs over 550 staff.