PKL’s Project Consultant, Craig, Appointed as Regional Chair of South-West LACA

We are delighted to announce that Craig Walkley, PKL’s Project Consultant, has recently been appointed Regional Chair of LACA, Local Authority Caterers Association, South-West.

LACA was established in 1990 and serves as the primary professional organisation for more than 1000 members within the school food sector. These members include both public sector and private contract caterers, as well as suppliers to schools, academies, and Multi-Academy Trusts across the UK.

As a temporary kitchen and catering equipment supplier to the Education sector, PKL saw LACA as the ideal association to join, and have been members for over 15 years.

Craig Walkley, LACA Chair

Craig’s role within PKL involves working predominantly with schools ensuring there is minimal disruption to their catering operation when they are completing a kitchen refurbishment or experienced a kitchen emergency, and has been on the South-West committee for over 1 year, before being appointed as Regional Chair at the end of March.

Craig’s objective over the next 2-years will be to be a voice for all the schools and providers within the South-West region, specifically the ones that are currently struggling with the inadequate funding the Education sector faces. Craig is hoping to take on a hands-on approach, visiting as many of the schools as he can, to understand the struggles they are facing, and be a voice for them at both regional and national events.

Craig would also like to increase membership numbers for the South-West region, and in particular, for any demographics not currently represented. Craig has always been an advocate for a diverse and balanced view when making critical decisions, and if LACA are to instigate change with the publicly funded school meal system, they need the support and expertise from all.

We look forward to seeing Craig progress in this new role within LACA, and the changes he can make over the next 2 years.