In early 2026 Jones will be starting a new role as the inaugural chief executive of the Scottish Food Commission, which aims to ensure that the good food nation plans align with national priorities and public interest.
The Commission will play a crucial role in shaping Scotland's food policy, will be scrutinising and making recommendations on good food nation plans, as well as conducting research and providing advice to Scottish ministers.
Commenting on the news, Jones said: “I'm immensely proud of the progress and improvements we have made collectively to the public food system, and in highlighting its reputation and its value to key decision makers in Scotland and the UK, and I'm very grateful to my team and colleagues for all of their support, challenge and commitment.
“Together, I hope we have made a positive difference to those we serve, and to our caterers who work so hard each and every day serving meals to children and young people, patients, visitors and staff, those in care homes, in prisons and in our university and colleges.
“I'll also be handing over the reins of the Public Sector Catering Alliance to the immensely capable and talented Anita Brown, who will step into the role of chair – I know that she will take the organisation from strength to strength.”
The Public Sector Catering Alliance is the umbrella organisation for meal providers working in schools, hospitals, care settings, universities, prisons and the military. It also supports the caterers of tomorrow through catering colleges throughout the UK.
It aims to foster collaboration among them on issues of mutual concern and serves as a focus for joint action, including liaison with Government, on topics such as procurement, food standards and sustainability.
In her time as chair, she has repeatedly lobbied to have the Alliance given a seat at the Food and Drink Sector Council table and, more recently, challenged Defra to include the Alliance on its new Food Strategy Board. In both cases, she argues, that the public sector is not represented but should be.
Every year £5bn is spent on food in the public sector, which serves more than 2bn meals in hospitals, schools, prisons, and care homes. It is estimated a quarter of the 69m people in the UK eat at least one public sector meal a year, while many school-age children regularly get a third of their daily nutrition through public procurement.
Jones added: “I hope to bring to this new challenge what I've learned over that time, as well as my drive and determination to create shifts towards a more sustainable, ethical, just and inclusive food system for everyone in Scotland, the UK and beyond. I'm looking forward to learning from other actors across the food system and to building an organisation that is values led, innovative and future focussed.
“There is a lot to do – and I'm looking forward to getting started, and to building on the strong relationships that are already firmly in place across the food system, as well as helping to bridge new ones in the coming months and years.”
The Public Sector Catering Alliance will start its search for the next vice chair of the organisation in December.