Board of Directors

Brad is the managing director of CATERed, a cooperative school meals provider in Plymouth, owned by over 60 schools and Plymouth council. Brad's career in local government began age 16 with Devon's trading standards team. He later took on client roles for Devon County Council during compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) in cleaning and school catering during the late 1980s. 

 A native of Plymouth, Brad joined Plymouth City Council after local government re-organisation in 1998, where he managed sales and marketing of services directly to schools. In 2007, he was appointed education catering manager, overseeing the school meals service during a transformative period and which led to significant government funding, the building of over 20 new kitchens, ending all transported school meals across the city and major refurbishment of the school kitchen estate. 

 Brad played a crucial role in the national School Food Plan, leading the small schools project across rural Devon and Cornwall. In April 2015, he launched CATERed, the UK's first cooperative school meals provider, ensuring all children have access to freshly prepared, locally sourced hot school food with a strong focus on building and maintaining regional food production and sourcing whether that be with dedicated local farms growing potatoes to locally caught and landed haddock.  CATERed now provide services in Plymouth, West Devon and South East Cornwall.  

Brad has been an active member of LACA since the early 1990s. He has served as regional chair for the South West Region, became a Board Member in 2018, was national Chair in 2022/23 and is currently the Vice Chair Elect.

Neil has dedicated over 40 years to the education catering sector, beginning his career as a kitchen manager in a primary school in 1981. He advanced to the role of contract manager for Avon County, overseeing catering services for 475 schools. Following the local government reorganisation in 1995, Neil moved to Bristol City Council, where he became the head of service for catering and facilities. 

In 2005, Neil joined BAM Facilities Management (formerly HBG) to lead the mobilisation of a new build project comprising four secondary schools and a leisure centre. He eventually rose to the position of Director for the South of England, a role he has held for eight years. 

Neil's passion for school meals has been unwavering. He has been an active member of LACA since the mid-1990s and currently serves as the business director and chair of the events group. Additionally, Neil is the regional chair for the Institute of Hospitality (IOH) South West branch, where he strives to elevate the profile of public sector catering

Following time spent in industrial catering, Hilary's career spanned 38 years in school catering. Firstly, in Essex rising to Deputy County Catering Manager (760 schools),  followed by Head of Services for Cambridgeshire County Council (350 schools). She successfully completed two rounds of compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) followed by best value legislation and established one of the first central cook-freeze factory units, ensuring quality meals for small rural schools. Her responsibilities also covered contracts for police, civic, and cleaning services for Cambridgeshire.  

Hilary founded LACA In 1988-89 and served as its first Chair. Stepping down from that she has continued as Honorary Treasurer, Finance Director and Chair of Finance & Administration.  

Hilary was awarded the first Blue Ribband for Cost Sector Catering in 1995 and the Public Sector Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017. Both awarded in recognition of her years of service to school catering, establishing LACA and contributing to its continued development. 

Hilary has brought her experience to the Board of Directors since inception. 

Luke Consiglio is the CEO of The Pantry, a leading school catering company in the UK renowned for its commitment to fresh and nutritious school meals. The Pantry has evolved from a local provider into a nationally respected name in education catering, earning a reputation for service excellence and innovation.

In recent times The Pantry has been recognised at the highest levels of the catering industry, receiving several prestigious awards, including a LACA Award for Contract Caterer of the Year, a Foodservice Catey Award for Education Caterer of the Year, named as Supreme Family Business of the Year and a Public Sector Catering Award for Catering Company of the Year.

With three primary aged daughters, Luke is passionate about making sure every child receives the schools’ meals they deserve, which starts with supporting LACA in raising the funding levels that caterers currently receive. 

Stephen has dedicated 34 years to the school catering industry, beginning his career with Durham County Council. In 1994, he transitioned to Chartwells, where he held various roles before opting for a part-time position managing key accounts.

A long-standing and active member of LACA since 1993 participating in many local and regional events he joined the LACA Board as regional representative for the North East and Scotland in April 2014. He served as National Chair for 2 years from 2019-21 where he counts the LACA Allergens Risk Assessment Process as a highlight of his tenure as chair. Currently, he holds the positions of board director and regional chair for the North East and Scotland, where he supports member services, finance and admin working groups within the LACA Board.

Stephen resides in County Durham and is the chair of the governing board for his local primary federation, he has a unique overview into the impact food can have on schools and local communities and is fully aware of real challenges facing schools at this time.

Andrew Cowan is the senior operations manager for Bury Council’s school catering service and has been the LACA North West board representative since April 2025. With over 20 years of experience in the private catering sector, Andrew has a proven track record of delivering high-quality, nutritious meals while maintaining efficient and cost-effective operations. 

He fosters a positive and collaborative work environment and is dedicated to professional development, regularly attending industry conferences and training sessions. Andrew is committed to sustainability, implementing initiatives to reduce food waste and source local ingredients, thereby supporting the local community and environment. 

As a qualified chef, with City & Guilds 706/1/2/3, Kath began her career in the private sector before moving to the public sector in 2009, progressing from frontline roles to her current position as development chef leading initiatives in menu development, allergen management, food cost control, compliance with School Food Standards, special diets, and recipe development. Collaborating closely with suppliers she looks for emerging food trends and is dedicated to enhancing the food culture for pupils and works with various stakeholders to achieve this goal.

Kath joined the board in September 2024, representing the Yorkshire and Humberside region. Her involvement with LACA began in 2017 as an active member of the regional committee, and she has served as the regional treasurer since 2021.

Kath's LACA journey started in 2010 when she first entered the School Chef of the Year (SCOTY) competition, where her dedication and innovation won her the national title in 2016. Kath’s exceptional contributions to education catering have been recognised with prestigious awards, including Educatering Excellence Primary School Caterer of the Year 2016. Her accolades include Y&H LACA Outstanding Contribution to Education Catering 2023, APPG Excellence in School Food – Best Individual 2024, Public Sector Catering – Chef of the Year 2024, and Craft Guild of Chefs – Public Sector Chef 2024.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Kath is actively engaged in promoting the sector through social media, participating in food festivals and organising regional events.

Gavin has been involved with LACA for nearly 15 years and joined the board in 2018 representing LACA Partner and Suppliers. He represents Bidfood as a member of the APPG for School Food and actively participates in the Public Sector Catering Most Influential Roundtable meetings at the House of Commons. 

Gavin has lobbied the Government for the expansion of Infant and Junior Free School Meals to become Universal Free School Meals across all primary school years. He has advocated for increased funding to £3.30 per meal for England, and for it to be ringfenced. He also hosted The Big School Food Debate for contract caterers to discuss the significant issues surrounding school catering. 

Outside of his professional commitments, Gavin and his team have collectively raised over £90,000 for various industry charities including: Prostate Cancer, Bowel Cancer, Stroke Association, Children with Cancer, Make a Wish Childrens Foundations and, most recently, KIDS Disabled Childrens Charity raising money by completing the 2025 London Marathon with his daughter.