ACADEMY PEOPLE

HEAD OFFICE

Sophie Roberts-Brown Executive Director

Sophie Roberts-Brown joined AFWS in 2003. With 15 years in PR and marketing and her previous role at the Restaurant Association she has proved pivotal in re-positioning the Academy as a highly respected, professional organisation. Sophie was made executive director in 2008. Sophie combines the day-to-day management of AFWS with developing on-going strategy, liaising sponsors, developing new business leads and arranging fundraising activities.

Helen Glen Events and Membership Manager

Helen joined the Academy in 2008 from the industry’s sector skills council, People 1st. Helen has also previously worked for Hospitality Leisure Manpower so she brings a wealth of experience to AFWS. Her role comprises primarily of managing, organising and developing AFWS’ extensive events programme.

Daniel Moriss-Jeffery, BSc Hons Education and Training Manager

Daniel joined the Academy in 2011 from The Tourism Society. Having a solid background in events management Daniel organises the training based events and is responsible for all masterclasses and education based courses run by the Academy.

THE BOARD

Nick Scade MBE, FIH Chairman

As one of the founders and current chairman of the AFWS, Nick Scade’s role is to oversee its efforts to train and educate food and beverage serving staff in the UK. Nick Scade has spent over 30 years in the hotel and restaurant industry, with 25 years specialising in food and beverage operations in the hotel, restaurant and casino businesses. In 1999 he was awarded the MBE for his services to training and education within the hotel and restaurant industry.

Paul Breach OBE Deputy Chairman & Director

A Doctor of Business Administration from IMC, alumnus of the Advanced Management Programme Stanford University Business School and current partner/director of The Restaurant Factory Ltd, Paul Breach has over 40 years experience in the hospitality Industry. Having held senior management positions at Seagram UK, Seagram Distillers, The Restaurant Partnership Plc and Oddbins, Paul was awarded an OBE in 2008 for his contribution to the industry.

Jeremy Rata FIH, MI Director

Jeremy Rata is the immediate past chairman of AFWS. He joined the Bovey Castle Luxury Hotel & Sporting Estate in the Dartmoor National Park as general manager in 2008 from the De Vere Grand Hotel, Brighton. Prior to this he worked as managing director for The Devonshire Hotels and Restaurant group.

David Read

David Read, chief executive of specialist procurement consultancy Prestige Purchasing, has previously held senior management roles in the hotel industry, including that of purchasing director within the Forte group. He believes that in applying best practice to buying, organisations can achieve major profit improvement.

David Battersby, OBE, MSc, FIH

David Battersby is managing director of Hospitality and Leisure Manpower and is responsible for education and training matters at the Academy. He has over 30 years experience in the industry, and was previously Director of Training for the Hotel and Catering Training Board. He is a past president of the Hotel & Catering International Management Association (HCIMA) and in 1998 was awarded the OBE for services to the hospitality industry.

Gerard Basset MS, MW

Gerard Basset, originally from St Etienne in France, was co-founder of the Hotel du Vin & Bistro Group and is one of the UK’s best-known wine experts and sommelier. He currently owns and runs Hotel TerraVina in the New Forest. Previously as head sommelier of Chewton Glen, he won the UK Wine Waiter of the Year Award in 1992 (now UK Sommelier of the Year), and won silver twice in the World Sommelier championships. In 2010 he won the prestigious World’s Best Sommelier competition. Gerard plays an important role in the development of the Academy’s competitions as a judge, trainer and technical director.

Marc Verstringhe, Director

Belgian by birth Marc brings a broad European perspective to the Academy. He moved to England in 1957 when he joined the Lygon Arms and then went on to work for Sutcliffe Catering where he was appointed group managing director in 1971 prior to setting up his own business, Catering & Allied, in 1975. Marc is the Harry Hansen Business Fellow at the Centre for International Business and Management, University of Cambridge, and has won numerous industry awards such as a Catey, FCSI Award of Special Distinction and the HCIMA Award for Personal Achievement in the Worldwide Hospitality Industry. He is also Commandeur of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.

Patron

Lord Thurso MP, Patron