Public Sector Catering unveils part two of ‘most influential’ list

The ‘most influential’ list reflects all the different parts of the public sector from schools and hospitals to care homes, universities, catering colleges, prisons as well as the military.

The group of ‘most influential’ leaders will gather at the House of Commons for an industry round-table debate on Thursday 29th January 2026. They will also enjoy a lunch organised by Mark Hill OBE, executive chef at the House of Commons. 

The second group of ‘most influential’ people includes:

• Charlotte Fairall has worked with Nick Vadis and NHS Supply Chain: Food to publish the first NHS cookbook focused entirely on children’s food – ‘More Please’. Its success led to a follow-up called ‘Even More Please’, which was published earlier this year.
• Mike Haslin is the chief executive of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) who are catering procurement and professional development experts. TUCO has a buying power in excess of £150 million annually, and have regularly achieved savings of over £10 million per year.
• Mick Hickman is public sector policy lead at Compass Group UK & Ireland. He joined Compass Group in 2005 following a long and successful career in the Royal Navy.
• Sharon Hodgson is the MP for Washington and Gateshead South and has taken on many roles in Parliament since her election in 2005 including on key parliamentary select committees such as the Children, Schools and Families and public health.
• John Holden took over from longstanding PACE leader Molly Shaher. In his day job he lectures Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 front of house hospitality qualifications at Cheshire College South and West.

Five more names will be released tomorrow (Wednesday 26th November).