Business

Julie's in good company

Published 19 December 2011

Julie Barker, the University of Brighton's head of residential and catering services, has been named with chef Jamie Oliver as among the top 20 most influential people in the world of public sector catering.

Cost Sector Catering, the food service industry magazine, said Julie was among "inspirational characters who can enthuse the next generation" to help the industry tackle issues of sustainability, lower CO2 emissions and keep checks on the nation's health and nutrition.

Julie is also managing director of The University Catering Organisation Ltd, a membership company for HE and FE hospitality professionals that is dedicated to professional development, research, procurement, collaboration and providing access to advice and information to further the provision of quality standards in hospitality within the HE and FE sector.

Julie, who has spent her career in the public sector and in the education sector, said: "I am thrilled to be ranked as one of the public sector catering's most influential people.

"Our purpose is to build awareness of crucial issues and the potential impact that government under funding and lack of understanding has on our customers.

"One of the key aims of the group for 2012 is the 'health and wellbeing agenda' in particular nutritional standards and obesity. There is clearly a role for the HE and FE hospitality sector to play in trying to educate our customers; in what we provide and how we provide it, the information we provide with the products we serve.

"Jamie played his part for school meals and that generation of school children are starting to come through into the Higher and Further education sector and we now need to reflect on how we can play our part in continuing to educate young adults on nutrition and good eating habits."

The magazine reported that Julie was "among the people currently wielding the biggest clout in the world of public sector catering", adding: "there is no ranking in the Public Sector Most Influential Top 20. You are either in it or not".