2019 Influential Businesswoman Awards

Acquisition International - 2019 Influential Businesswomen Awards 9 Catering Elite: Catering Recruitment Agency of the Year 2019 Multi-award-winning Catering Elite is an independent recruitment agency providing exceptional support to candidates and clients across the hospitality market. We invited Founder Sophie Preston-Hall to showcase how far the firm has come since she first created it more than 17 years ago. Having flourished in this competitive market, Sophie understands the challenges that face many candidates, and as such she and her team aim to give everyone a chance, as she is keen to highlight. “At Catering Elite, we work with many candidates who struggle to get their start in hospitality, for example young people from the age of 16. They are often ignored by employers due to lack of experience, however we aim to change this by giving everyone a chance. We also pay a higher hourly rate to people who are 16-18, because there is no reason not to, some of them work harder than people who are in their 20s or 30s.” As she looks to the future, Sophie is excited for the developments Catering Elite will undergo as it works to grow even further and support a wider range of clients throughout 2019 and beyond. nitially established by Sophie in 2002 with the help of the Princes Trust, Catering Elite opened a second branch in 2009, and has since flourished. Today the firm works with clients from various backgrounds, from 5* Hotels, Michelin / Rosette starred restaurants, to local pubs, schools and care homes. The company can also supply staff members to big events such as horse race meetings and concerts, supporting football clubs and other large contractors. Sophie works tirelessly to ensure that every project Catering Elite works on is completed to the highest possible standard. In her opening comments she explores how she draws on her immense industry experience to ensure the firm continues to provide the best possible standard of support to candidates and companies alike. “Personally, I have worked in the catering industry since I have started my employment endeavours, thus the wealth of experience helped me immensely when I have incorporated Catering Elite in every way really. Prior to Catering Elite's incorporation, I worked in the catering sector. My career focussed on front of house, but I quickly rose to management level. “Then I then took my career global, working in Greece, Spain and the UK. I have also worked in the recruitment sector for some time. I opened my company knowing the ups and downs of the industry, and I was extremely familiar with the work environment. This experience has allowed me to employ the right people for the right positions, making the business flourish.” Over the years Sophie has seen a variety of developments in the hospitality market, however it remains a male-dominated space. She offers her advice to those women who wish to emulate her impressive success in this competitive market. “To those women who want to succeed in hospitality, I say that you need to believe in yourself, to be patient and to push forward, push harder. “Eventually, through hard work and determination, you can get to where you want to be. You just have to be prepared to work insanely hard and to be patient. You have to be persistent, assertive, confident, you have to believe that you are the best, and then act and think like you are." I Company: Catering Elite Name: Sophie Preston-Hall Address: Weston Business Centre, Hawkins Road, Colchester, CO2 8JX, Essex Telephone Number: 07739761291 Web Address: https://cateringelite.co.uk