Facilities management firm Almeda has recruited experienced hospitality sector manager Gordon Cox to head its recently-launched catering division.
Gordon was previously food and beverage manager at Wyevale Garden Centres. He first encountered the Almeda team while working at its Endsleigh Garden Centre in Devon and was so impressed the work of former Almeda managing director Gary George and his son, current MD Brady, he remained interested in joining the Keynsham-based company.
However, at the time no jobs relevant to his skill-set were available. Now, with the launch of the catering division – which is set to become a major division of the business – Gordon has been brought in to oversee its implementation.
The division is aimed at larger businesses with in-house restaurants and Almeda will work with clients to restructure their current facilities and create healthy meal plans to improve employee productivity and boost morale.
Gordon is planning menus and researching the supply chain to source local, organic foods for Almeda’s first catering customer, international building materials company Hanson UK.
Gordon said: “I’m excited to have joined Almeda to help launch this new division. It’s a brave and bold business decision and as a concept has huge potential. I have always admired the way that Almeda go about their business and I am proud to be part of this.”
Brady George added: “It’s an exciting time for Almeda as we launch what will be an invaluable service to offer our clients, and Gordon will play a crucial role in putting the foundations in place to make this a success.”
Almeda will be running an open day to showcase their capabilities and is inviting food bloggers and customers to sample first-hand the types of products they can offer.
The UK food service management market is estimated to be worth £4.1bn – with growth of 3% over the past year.
Almeda supplies a range of property and maintenance services to clients across a diverse range of sectors including a number of iconic buildings such as the Bristol & Bath Science Park, SS Great Britain, art gallery Arnolfini and Watershed media centre.
Pictured: Almeda head of catering operations Gordon Cox, left, with MD Brady George
