Meet the Eurest Leadership Team
Eurest is a diverse business with a broad range of clients. We look after clients who have multiple sites across the UK and Ireland as well as clients who have one site (large or small).
Our leadership team have years of experience managing contract catering companies
Managing Director Business & Industry
Morag Freathy
Morag comes from a competitive family of foodies and regularly pinches recipes from Culinary Director Ryan Holmes, to get the edge. Ryan’s coffee-grind granola and bircher muesli are both firm favourites in the Freathy household: “they’re good for the planet and good for the gut”.
Outside work, Morag is passionate about cycling. She’s travelled Europe on a tandem bike with her husband, and loves to ride around the scenic countryside of the North Yorkshire Dales.
Managing Director National Accounts
Paul Williams
Paul loves the great outdoors. He can often be found hiking and surfing in the beautiful countryside around his home on the Gower coastline.
Since joining Eurest, he’s discovered a new love, too: “I’ve become a real foodie - beach BBQs have become a firm favourite, and always feature our amazing Hola Pollo spatchcock chicken, with one of our colourful salads.”
Paul combines these passions on the ski slopes of Europe and North America, where he enjoys both the piste and the local food and wine.
Managing Director Local Accounts
Nick Haynes
Nick got the cooking bug young: “Mum was a professional cook, and inspired me to get into catering at an early age. I’m fortunate to have found a career in an industry that I can relate to so much.”
When he’s not visiting one of our restaurants, tucking into something from our Root Kitchen range – “tonnes of flavour” – or cooking up a feast at home, he’ll be mountain-biking or fishing, “another passion from my childhood days!”
Sales Director
Peter Bateman-Champain
Pete is one of the company’s longest-serving team members. He’s been with the company for around 30 years, and is as enthusiastic as ever: “it’s all about the food, I absolutely love it.”
That passion is just as present outside of work. At home in Devon, Pete spends a lot of time cooking with family and friends, “in our kitchens, on the beaches, on the water, or over a fire-pit.” Local produce features heavily, from freshly caught fish to Devon-brewed beer.
Health and Wellness Director
Liz Forte
Liz is half-Italian: “a natural food-lover”. She likes to cook big family meals and get everyone involved. She’s also champion of plant-based diets and healthy eating, so she’s a real fan of our Plantilicious range - “it’s my go-to.”
Swimming, running and boxing occupy Liz’s spare time. Her kids are equally sporty, so when she’s not in the sea, on the track or in the ring, Liz is likely to be on the side lines, cheering them on.
Culinary Director
Ryan Holmes
It’s no surprise that Ryan is a proud foodie - “my bookcase is almost exclusively cookbooks” - but he also loves the great outdoors. He keeps fit by running and playing football and likes to take his family on long country walks.
At work, innovation is one of Ryan’s key drivers. He relishes pushing boundaries, and is especially focused on plant-based cooking and waste reduction: “really thinking outside the box, to make great dishes from produce that would otherwise go in the bin.”
Finance Director
Craig Knowles
Homemade pizza is one of Craig’s signature dishes, and a family speciality – “we have the process and roles down to a tee.” When he’s not kneading dough, he’s socialising or exercising – playing football, cycling or working out at the gym.
Craig’s had multiple roles here at Compass. He started out in B&I, did stints in our security and sports teams, and now he’s back in B&I, where it all began.
Head of Mobilisation and Projects
Daniel Sykes
Dan’s a big fan of the great outdoors, and right now that means family activities such as climbing, kayaking and paddle boarding – along with plenty of dog walks. He’s also a keen skier and looking forward to getting back on the slopes.
His favourite food is dessert – “I’ve got a particularly sweet tooth” – and especially the treats that follow a long day up the mountain, on the river, or in the snow. They’re certainly well deserved!
HSE Director B&I
Chris Moore
Chris and his family are all food lovers - with a particular passion for Italian. “My favourite food would have to be a simple buffalo mozzarella, tomato and basil salad, with fresh crusty bread,” says Chris. He’s learning the language, in readiness for the next trip.
Between work, food and Italian classes, Chris somehow manages to fit in football: playing, supporting and even coaching the team of his eldest son.
Head of Culinary Operations
Jason Trotman
Jason is a keen golfer and cyclist, and a dedicated fan of his local football team, Bournemouth FC.
When it comes to food, his tastes stretch a little further afield: “I love Middle Eastern food, both cooking and eating it.” He’s an enthusiastic advocate of our Beseha range, especially the Aubergine Lehmacun Street Pizza - “slow cooked aubergine with sumac and smoked paprika, topped with halloumi. Delicious.”
Head of Customer Experience
Alison Richardson
Alison began her career as a chef and has nurtured a deep-seated love of food ever since - from the hands-on creativity of the kitchen, to the challenge of getting every aspect of the experience “just right”.
In her spare time, Alison enjoys walking with her family on the Northumberland Coast, and cooking healthy meals at home - frequently inspired by our own. Her favourite? Street Masala, “a great Saturday night treat.”
