The TUCO Awards celebrate teamwork and also the individuals who might not always be standing over a stove each day, but works hard to create an innovative catering operation that gets results and creates customer loyalty.
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Alison Shedlock - University of Manchester
Amanda Pettingill, TUCO Chair said: "While keeping hospitality as the heart of everything she does, Alison has consistently championed sustainability and wellbeing initiatives whilst supporting her university's values and ambitions. A natural relationship builder, she has an extraordinary ability to bring people together and create communities that flourish. Alison is retiring from the University of Manchester next year, and in truth it will likely take three people to replace her, such is the scale of her contribution."
Alison said: "What a fabulous sector we are! I’ve had the most fabulous 21 years at the University of Manchester/ I’ve had the most amazing colleagues and met some truly incredible people. I would really like to thank TUCO for embracing me – I’ve made the most wonderful friends – true friends for life.”
INNOVATION AWARD
Strathclyde Catering - University of Strathclyde
The TUCO Innovation Award recognises and celebrates a TUCO member university or college that has successfully launched a new bar or catering concept, a new development or a refurbishment in the past 12 months.
The University of Strathclyde’s Cobot Project is a strategic, dual-layered innovation that combines a new strategic model of collaboration with the deployment of a people‑centred collaborative robot (Cobot) – all within a live catering operation. Within eight months of its launch, the project had delivered +12.8% sales growth, reversing a declining trend; achieved £9,884 labour cost savings and saved 574 staff hours; and elevated Strathclyde catering’s profile in the university, the sector and the city.
The judges commented, "A genuinely sector-leading innovation that successfully combines technology, academic collaboration and commercial catering operations."
The Strathclyde team said, "The whole project was so collaborative, so we’re really looking forward to taking the award back to the university as recognition of what can be achieved when we work together.”
RISING STAR AWARD
Mike Lear - University of Nottingham
This award provides recognition to an individual catering or bar professional working within a TUCO member institution who is seen as an emerging talent with future potential within the industry.
Mike helps lead catered hall operations serving more than 3,500 students across multiple kitchens and campuses. He has shown he can lead at scale, manage operational change and protect the student experience, all while supporting the long term sustainability of the catered halls offer. Yet Mike’s influence goes beyond day-to-day operations. He is actively trying to shape the future talent pipeline for university catering through the creation of the University of Nottingham Catering Pathways Academy, developed as part of his Level 5 Apprenticeship in Operations Management.
The judges commented, "A strategic future leader creating progression for others through the Catering Pathways Academy".
Mike said: "It's a huge honour to be recognised by TUCO, especially when you look at the calibre of people working across university catering. The last year has been a busy one, from developing the Catering Pathways Academy and supporting our teams through some incredibly demanding periods, to constantly looking for ways we can improve what we do for our students and guests. None of that happens on your own."
ASPIRING LEADER AWARD
Conlan Mann - Nottingham Trent University
Created to recognise emerging talent within our membership, this award celebrates individuals who have demonstrated exceptional potential, commitment to personal development, and the ability to positively influence those around them.
The award is linked to the TUCO Academy's Manager Essentials Programme, a structured leadership development course designed to equip current and future managers with the skills needed to succeed. The programme covers leadership styles, communication, delegation and feedback, accountability and motivation, difficult conversations and conflict management, emotional intelligence, and personal effectiveness. It provides participants with practical tools and confidence to lead teams and drive positive change within their organisations.
The judges note that Conlan has embraced that journey and demonstrated the qualities of a future leader within our sector. Unfortunately, Conlan wasn’t able to attend the Awards Gala, but – with such talent and potential already recognised – we look forward to seeing his skills and career continue to develop.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
Catering Services - University of Nottingham
This award recognised the university or college catering business that has taken the most innovative steps in sustainability.
Sustainability at the University of Nottingham is embedded into menus, services and operations, across each and every one of its 11 catered halls and more than 30 retail outlets. Focussing on four key objectives – reducing waste, influencing sustainable customer behaviours, improving environmental performance, and building stronger community and supply chain partnerships – the university’s sustainability journey is strongly punctuated by clear, measurable action, operational innovation and customer engagement.
The judges commented, "Exceptional breadth and integration across menus, supply chain, engagement, and operations and at scale."
The team said, "I think I’m still in shock – we didn’t expect to win at all! We haven’t got the whole team here, so I can’t wait to share the news with them.”
TUCO TEAM OF THE YEAR
Catering Team - Harper Adams University
The TUCO Team of the Year accolade rewards the achievement of any team working within a TUCO member university or college. This team of people working in the procurement or catering areas will demonstrate they worked together to deliver significant service improvement to their customers, which support their institution’s objectives.
Harper Adams University has embedded a ‘food metres, not miles’ philosophy into campus catering for more than 20 years, using its working farm, academic expertise and local supply chains to create a sustainable, circular food model. Over the last 12 months, significant service improvements have accelerated this approach, integrating food production, waste reduction, innovation and student education into a catering operation that reflects the university’s agricultural and environmental mission.
The judge's comments, "Exceptional integrated farm-to-fork and circular food model linking catering directly to teaching, research, sustainability, waste reduction and student affordability, with distinctive and robust impact measures."
The Harper Adams team said: "We’re fortunate with our campus that we have the ability do what we do – but it still takes a whole team effort, innovating and executing these ideas.”
TUCO MEMBER OF THE YEAR
Loughborough University
This award recognises the member institution that has made a significant contribution to the work of TUCO.
Loughborough University offers a masterclass in clear, measurable impact, sector leadership and unwavering commitment to strengthening the TUCO community. Over the past year, Loughborough has demonstrated not only how to maximise the value of TUCO membership, but how to actively enhance it for others across the sector. At the core of this success is the significant financial and operational value delivered through TUCO. In 2024/25 alone, Loughborough achieved an outstanding £598,885 return on investment, alongside £516,870 in procurement savings.
The judges commented, "Loughborough University show great engagement and involvement across catering services at multiple team and departmental levels with TUCO services and opportunities. They support both the learning and development of their operational teams and the wider TUCO Community."
The team said, "We’re ecstatic! It’s an absolute pleasure to have won TUCO’s Member of the Year Award and receive that recognition for the hard work of everyone in the team."
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