The Groups will bring together ceda Members, the Academy, the Board, Partners, and where required, external specialists, to focus on some of the most important topics that the industry faces.

In an effort to keep progressing and driving the organisation forward, we have set out seven areas of focus; Technical Support, Community Development, The Future Workforce, Apprenticeships & Skills, Sustainability, the Main Contractor sector and Mental Health & Wellbeing.

This structure will allow for a more focussed and proactive approach to our work, deeper engagement with Members and Partners, more Board responsibilities, to more closely link the Board, Academy and Membership, and drive growth, resource and demand.

“The creation of these new Working Groups is significant and because of the growth that we have experienced in membership numbers and engagement, they are also necessary.” says Adam Mason, ceda Director General.

“We need to stay ahead of the curve as an organisation to best embrace the opportunities and face down the challenges of our Members and the wider industry. The development of these Working Groups will focus our attention as to what is impacting the industry, so that we can deliver the support and services that our Members require.”

ceda’s pre-existing Technical Support Group – which has successfully brought together Members, Partners and external specialists to deliver technical support including documentation, training, training standards, member helpline – will continue to drive the Technical Support remit. A review will take place to ensure the TSG remains relevant, proactive and is delivering services and solutions that make a difference.

Community Development will be ceda’s R&D department where new, creative and innovative ideas to advance the industry and the people within it are discussed and agreed, with a focus on performance, efficiency, productivity and profitability.

The Future Workforce Group will create a Future Workforce Strategy for the industry. This will focus on developing pathways into the industry, covering all relevant job roles, and promoting the industry in universities and colleges.

Work to expand the remit of the existing Apprenticeship Standard Review Group to incorporate a broader skills agenda will be undertaken. This will highlight where the skills gaps exist within the industry now and what the future needs will be, working in conjunction with the Future Workforce Group we will then provide solutions to fill the gaps.

The Sustainability Group will bring together Members, Partners and external specialists to deliver solutions that grow knowledge of sustainability within the industry focussing on translating generic terminology into industry-specific and relevant language, deliver solutions to better benchmark the energy efficiency of equipment and deliver solutions that support manufacturers to provide embodied carbon data.

The Main Contractor Group will be responsible for highlighting the challenges that exist in the construction sector working with main contractors – both general issues and those specifically pertaining to our sector. Once key priorities have been identified the Group will then deliver solutions that mitigate risk, create a more efficient process and promote the importance of early engagement with catering contractors.

The Mental Health & Wellbeing Group will seek to work with external stakeholders to deliver industry specific resources, training and support that is available to the entire membership.

Mason adds, “We have more and more people putting their hands up wanting to be directly involved in helping to shape and steer our agenda which is a very powerful thing to propel us forward into 2025 and beyond.”

“Bringing diverse thoughts, opinions, expertise, passions and experience, that we will embrace and harness, will really accelerate our work. Let’s not forget that these people give their time to ceda on a voluntary basis. They are involved because they want to see our industry achieve all that it can.

“Having people now putting themselves forward to be a part of the solutions that we create and deliver is special.”