This will form part of the HCA Leadership and Development Forum, taking place at Doubletree by Hilton Brighton Metropole 14-15th April 2026.
Alongside its established awards, the Rising Star Award is designed to encourage the younger HCA members to aspire to greater things and to make healthcare catering their career of choice.
HCA Awards 2026 finalists include the following:
Caterer of the Year
- James Dougan, Retail development & production Manager, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, West of Scotland Branch
- Kerrey Healey, Catering Compliance Officer, Northamptonshire Healthcare FT, Oxford Branch
- Erica Bell, Support Services Manager, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, North West Branch
- Shaun Williamson, Facilities Manager, University Hospital Plymouth, South West Branch
Catering Team of the Year
- Medirest at South West London & St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, London & South West Branch
- Corporate Catering Team Catering Team, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, West of Scotland Branch
- Peterborough City Hospital Catering Team, Peterborough Hospital, Oxford Branch
- Property Service Catering Team, Royal Free Hospital, London and South West Branch
- Elaine Pringle, South Eastern HSC Trust, Northern Ireland Team
- Catering Team, Stepping Hill Hospital, North West Branch
Leadership Excellence Award
- Mathieu Eke, Head of Facilities, Simply Serve Ltd, Yeovil Hospital , South West Branch
- Maxine Cartz , Dietitian, Compass Group – Healthcare, Oxford Branch
- Joanne Fitzgerlad, Deputy Hotel Services, Northampton Hospital Foundation NHS Trust, Oxford Branch
Rising Star Award
- Ronnie Parrett-Harris, Assistant Catering Manager, Hampshire & IOW Healthcare NHS FT, Wessex Branch
- Louise Shortland, Deputy Catering Manager, Milton Keyes University Hospital, Oxford Branch
- Kerrey Healey, Catering Compliance Officer, Northamptonshire Healthcare FT, Oxford Branch
- Lucy Astbury, Assistant Catering Manager, University Hospitals of Derby & Burton NHS FT, Trent Branch
Sustainability Awards
- Mathieu Eke, Head of Facilities, Simply Serve Ltd, Yeovil Hospital, South West Branch
- Catering Team, St George’s University NHS Hospital Trust, London & South West Branch
There will be no shortlist for the Chair’s Choice, Wilma Wilkie, Special Recognition and Trade Stand awards. All winners will be announced at the President's Gala and awards dinner on Tuesday 14th April 2026.
For more information please visit www.hospitalcaterers.org or to book to attend the HCA forum, please visit: www.hcaforum.co.uk.