The awards were announced at the HCA 2026 Leadership & Development Forum. The annual awards aim to recognise the commitment and contribution of the association’s members. Since the awards were launched in 2001, more than 150 members have joined the exclusive roster of winners.
In the citation for the Caterer of the Year accolade, it said that ‘Erica exemplifies what modern NHS catering leadership looks like: clinically credible, people-focused and quietly ambitious about raising standards. At Stepping Hill Hospital, she has led a service that balances creativity with discipline, delivering food that is inclusive, sustainable and genuinely valued by patients, staff and visitors’.
The Wilma Wilkie Outstanding Service Award was won by Robert McLaughlin. This prestigious accolade is presented to an outstanding professional who is a full, life, or honorary member of the HCA. The individual must have given many years of service to healthcare catering.
It was a very successful night for the Oxford Branch of the HCA, which had three winners at the awards ceremony, including Maxine Cartz (Special Recognition Award), Kerrey Healey (Rising Star Award) and Joanne Fitzgerald (Leadership Excellence Award).
Elsewhere the Northern Ireland Brand was named as the Chair’s Choice Award and Mathieu Eke won the Sustainability Award for introducing initiatives at Yeovil Hospital such as removing plastics four years before the Government ban.
Medirest at South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust won the Team of the Year Award for the close collaboration between the catering and clinical teams. The citation for the award highlighted the fact the catering staff ‘attend ward meetings, communicate directly with nurses at service time, and adapt meals in real time to support patients who may be reluctant or anxious about eating’.
Iain Robertson, chair of the HCA, said: “The Hospital Caterers Association awards are a great opportunity to celebrate the best our sector has to offer whether you are starting out in your professional journey or whether you are well established within the sector.
“Each of our winners in all of the categories are great ambassadors for the sector and exemplify what can be achieved working in it. My congratulations go to all those who were shortlisted.”
On the night £6,250 was raised for the CRUMBS Project. It is a charity based in Bournemouth that empowers adults with physical, learning and social needs by providing hospitality, catering and life‑skills training.
The full list of winners includes:
- Caterer of the Year (sponsored by Synbiotix): Erica Bell, support services manager, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust (North West Branch)
- Catering Team of the Year (sponsored by NH Case): Medirest at South West London & St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust (London & South West Branch)
- Trade Stand Award: Simply Food Solutions
- Special Recognition Award: Maxine Cartz, dietitian at Compass Group – Healthcare (Oxford Branch)
- Rising Star Award (sponsored by Meiko): Kerrey Healey, catering compliance officer, Northamptonshire Healthcare Foundation Trust (Oxford Branch)
- Sustainability Award: Mathieu Eke, head of facilities, Simply Serve Ltd, Yeovil Hospital (South West Branch)
- Leadership Excellence Award (sponsored by Rational): Joanne Fitzgerald, deputy hotel services, Northampton Hospital Foundation NHS Trust (Oxford Branch)
- Chair’s Choice Award: Northern Ireland Branch
- The Wilma Wilkie Outstanding Service Award: Robert McLaughlin