Avenance

Avenance plc appeared on the contract catering scene four years ago, created through the acquisition of existing contract catering companies High Table, Catering and Allied, Brian Smith and Nelson Hind, securing business, industry and education sectors. The company, owned by the French-based Group Elior, has very quickly made its mark in the busine... ss and now employs more than 6,000 staff, operating more than 600 contacts across the UK. Turnover in the last financial year was £170m and Mike Audis (see picture above) is the company's Chief Executive. Clients vary in size from operations dealing with 30 customers a day to 3,000 a day and include Lloyd's of London, Sainsbury's, The Bank of England, Wessex Water, Kingston University, Hanover Care Homes, Nuffield Hospital, and Rugby School. Business and Industry is Avenance's largest sector at the moment. Avenance, in common with other contract caterers, has varied its offer with innovative solutions of differing kinds. It has Mojo which is described as a contemporary café and deli operated in partnership with Costa and Starbucks, selling coffee, sandwiches and lunch dishes. The company says it has an ongoing commitment to offering ,healthy' options and tries wherever possible, to source locally. It has gone down the ethical route with Fairtrade products. Vending is another part of the company's activities. A commercially focused range with potentially zero cost is available to clients who wish to reduce or cut out their catering subsidy. At the other end of the market Avenance provides hospitality services that are designed to reflect the culture and ethos of the client company. The company has also diversified with the development of a separate support division called ,you' which provides reception, telephone and porterage services. Staff at Avenance are encouraged to take part in the Annual Achievement Awards for the ,very best'. This year's recognise 14 categories which include chef manager, site chef, star site, Grand Prix winner and Chef of the Year. The ...Read More