Willis cooks up Academy job

26 September 2012

National independent contract catering company, Catering Academy, has appointed Simon Willis as Managing Director of Client Services. He joins Team Academy from Harrison Catering, where he carried out the role of Director Client Services for over nine years.

Willis will be a full board member and a significant mover in the development of Catering Academy, building on the success of the business, which this year is expected to hit the £30 million mark. With over 30 years’ experience in the catering industry, Willis started his career as a chef in the Army, site management, area management and senior board positions.

Speaking about his appointment, Willis said: “From the first time I met the Catering Academy owners, Kevin, Louise and Stacey, I very much bought into their company ethos and aspirations for the company. The drive, enthusiasm and passion they have for the business is very evident and it was this that attracted me to the role. My primary focus will be to maintain and grow an enviable reputation for delivering outstanding food service, working alongside a team of likeminded people equally passionate and focussed on personally delivering excellence.”

Willis’ appointment will allow Founder & Operations Director, Louise Wymer, to step out of the day to day running of the contracts and focus more time on the strategic development aspects of the business. She said: “The company has grown at such a rate that the board decided somebody senior should take over the daily operations of the client contracts. We were extremely fortunate to find someone of Simon’s calibre and experience and were delighted when he agreed to join Team Academy in a new role of Managing Director of Client Services.”