Elior appoints director of innovation
Small will lead Elior’s new eight-strong innovation team. They are responsible for delivering digital, concept development, photography and menu management across its UK business
Leading contract caterer, Elior, has appointed Claire Small to take on its newly created director of innovation role.
Small will lead Elior’s new eight-strong innovation team. They are responsible for delivering digital, concept development, photography and menu management across its UK business.
Prior to Elior, Small held senior roles with hospitality brands including SSP UK, The Restaurant Group PLC and ETM Group, helping translate consumer trends into creative commercial solutions.
At Elior, Small will be responsible for digital strategy across the company, including the rollout and optimisation of its proprietary Breaz mobile ordering app, Scan and Go technology and digital kiosk ordering.
Small and the innovation team have been bringing to market Elior’s new health-focused ‘Grab and Go’ concept, Wildgreen, which is soon to be piloted in Britain and Ireland locations across the UK.
Catherine Roe, chief executive officer at Elior, said: “Our new innovation team along with Claire’s appointment, represent an exciting new direction for Elior. Our Customers’ needs changed significantly as a result of the pandemic and we adapted to these. Given the speed of change, we realised that, as a leading contract caterer, we can spearhead new innovation in the foodservice industry.
“The team are working on several inspiring new projects which will spur the business on for sustained growth over the coming years.”
Small added: “Elior operates across a wide range of sectors and I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities we have to innovate across the business, especially as we emerge from an extremely tough period and adapt to new customer habits and expectations.”
