Barker, who is also director of accommodation and hospitality at University of Brighton, was presented with the award for her outstanding contribution to the cost sector catering industry.
Recently, Barker became one of the first industry leaders to make the Public Sector Top 100 influencers list for a fourth year running. She has been chair of TUCO for four years and has been hailed as instrumental in its evolution, which has seen it became a driving force in the catering sector as both a member organisation and a highly cost-effective procurement partner.
Speaking on the night, Barker said: “It was a great honour just to be nominated and so I have to say a huge thank you to judges and more importantly the brilliant team at TUCO who have made this possible.”
It wasn't the only TUCO success of the evening, as member David McKown, Head of Training and Quality, Accommodation and Commercial Services at the University of Sheffield won the Training and Education Award.
Barker added: “We are exceptionally proud of David, who's commitment to driving standards within the industry epitomises the work that so many of our members are doing. The passion and tireless effort that David has demonstrated through his many initiatives that truly add value to caterers across the country makes him the obvious category winner - a huge well done from us all at TUCO."
The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) is the leading membership organisation for in-house caterers operating in the Higher and Further education sectors. It has recently extended access to its procurement frameworks to the wider public sector and is now working with local authorities and NHS trusts across the UK.