LACA Member Login
Dates for your Diary:
06-09-08
Scottish Food Fortnight
Across Scotland
06-09-08
Highland Feast
various venues across the Highlands
06-09-08
Soil Association Organic Fortnight 2008
Harbourside, Bristol
09-09-08
Managing Your Pest Control Contract – Acheta Training Course
The Mill House, Middleton, Staffs
10-09-08
Eastern Region Committee Meeting
10-09-08
London & South East Regional Committee Meeting
10-09-08
Eastern Region: Committee meeting
11-09-08
South West: Regional Committee Meeting
11-09-08
NACC Conference & Exhibition
Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel
12-09-08
Ludlow Marches Food & Drink Festival
Ludlow, Shropshire
17-09-08
Mock Trial 2008
Warwick Conference Park, Coventry
17-09-08
Anglia Region Committee Meeting
19-09-08
The York Festival of Food and Drink 2008
20-09-08
British Food Fortnight
Nationwide
20-09-08
Mold Food & Drink Festival
New Street (Somerfield) Car Park
20-09-08
The Belgrave Hall Good Food Fair
Belgrave Hall Museum & Gardens Church Road, off Thurcaston Road Leicester, LE4 5PE
LACA ELECTS NEW CHAIRMAN
Sandra Russell, the former Vice Chairman of the Local Authority Caterers Association (LACA), the largest network of public and private school meal providers in Britain, has been elected as the new Chairman of the organisation from July 2007 - 2008. Sandra was officially confirmed in the post at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting held today (Wednesday 11 July).
Sandra has been a Member of LACA since 1990 and became Chair of the West Midlands Region in 1996. She joined LACA’s National Executive Council as the West Midlands Regional Representative in the late 1990’s and has sat on the Council until the present time.
She joined LACA’s Training & Development Committee and in 1998 became its Chair. Under Sandra’s leadership on the T & D Committee, LACA’s Annual National Conference and Exhibition has continued to grow and is one of the largest dedicated and most successful events in the school catering calendar. In 2006, the T & D Committee also took on the responsibility for LACA’s School Chef of the Year Competition which is in its 14th year and is continuing to gain the support of sponsors, Nestlé FoodServices.
Sandra has nearly thirty years experience in the catering industry. Her career began in Hotel Catering after completing a three year course at “Courtfield” the catering department of the Technology College in Blackpool. (now Blackpool and The Fylde College) She joined Local Authority Catering as a Cook in Charge in November 1978 at a new Primary School in her home town in Warwickshire and in 1980 moved to the local Secondary School. Sandra went on to become a Specialist Trainer for the Warwickshire service in 1981.
She joined the management team in 1983 and was appointed Area Manager in 1985. She took on the position of Head of the newly formed DSO (Direct Service Organisation) in January 1989.
Sandra has been the Head of Catering since that time and is currently responsible for the school meals service in approximately 200 Primary and Special Schools together with 18 Secondary Schools. Her operating division also provides for staff and Member feeding.
Sandra is also currently working for 50% of her time with The Children’s, Young People and Families Directorate of Warwickshire - as the catering expert on the Transforming School Meals project. In Warwickshire all responsibility for school meals was delegated to schools from 2000 so her experience is important to all schools, not just to those to whom a catering service is provided.
Commenting on her new role as Chairman of LACA, Sandra Russell says “The past year has been one of enormous challenge for school caterers. The introduction of the new Standards for School Lunches as well as the regulations to come later this year for all school food are putting significant pressure on caterers. As those responsible for delivering the Government’s transformation agenda for school food right at the front line, I see LACA and its Members as the guardians of the school meals service. As Members indicate downturns in school meal uptake particularly in Secondary Schools, I also believe it our priority to protect its foundations so that we can maintain a viable school meals service to hand on to the next generation. If we are to achieve that, then we need to make sure the advice and views of school meal providers are both sought and listened to”.
Making a return to the LACA Vice Chair role for a second time is former Chairman, Neil Porter (2004 – 2005) who was also confirmed in the post at the Association’s Annual General Meeting on July 11.
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For further information, contact:
Hazel Green, National Press Officer, LACA
Tel: 020 8464 6378 E-m: HaGreen7@aol.com
11 July 2007
