The Team

Richard Watts (BSc Honours) Managing Director

Richard is the founder and Managing Director of Classic Catering. After completing a degree in Hotel & Catering Management, Richard embarked on his career which initially started by working with several leading hotel brands including De Vere.

Following a successful career gaining valuable experience in the hospitality industry,  Richard then went on to start a small patisserie company based in Manchester supplying desserts and patisserie to independent customers in the immediate Manchester area. Now after 19 years the business has progressed to its current status which includes BRC Accredited manufacturing capability and national distribution through our fleet of dual temperature vehicles.

Finance

Gillian Wragg – Finance Manager

Gillian joined Classic Catering as Head of Finance in April 2003.

Gillian first started her career in banking and came to Classic from a large multi million pound textile company, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge and experience from within the financial sector.

Supporting the Managing Director, Gill has played an active role in the development and substantial growth of the company in this time. Gill was instrumental in supporting the business in its next major step when the company moved from a regional company to a national company. This included the opening of the Distribution and Cold Store in London and the new Head Office & Distribution site in Manchester.

Logistics

David Mincher – Logistics & Warehouse Manager

David joined Classic Catering in October 2007 and covers a variety of positions but he is ultimately responsible for Warehousing & Distribution. David holds qualifications in Food Safety, HACCP & a CPC National in Transport Management. During his time here Classic Catering have successfully achieved BRC for the Storage & Transportation.

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Sales & Marketing

Bryan Jackson – National Sales & Marketing Manager

Bryan joined Classic Catering in August 2008 following a successful career so far spanning 25 years in Foodservice. During his career he spent 10 years with one of the national wholesalers followed by another 10 years with one of the largest meat manufacturing processors in the UK. His role includes supporting the Managing Director in the company’s development while working with Classic Catering’s existing and potential new customers. In addition Bryan manages the internal and external sales team and is also responsible for all aspects of Classic Catering’s marketing.

Yvonne Selwood – Telesales Manager

Yvonne’s role at Classic Catering is to oversee the day to day operation of the internal sales department. This includes making sure all orders are processed correctly across each of the different departments and maintaining close contact with each of our customers. With a team of four Telesales Consultants helping to support her they ensure everything they do is customer focused. After 11 years with Classic Catering Yvonne has seen many changes and improvements and has been closely involved in the company’s growth during this time. Yvonne has a vast and thorough working knowledge of the whole product range and customers requirements.

Phil Best – Sales Coordinator

Phil started life at Classic Catering 6 years ago, during this time he undertook various roles before eventually moving into Office Sales. Since then he has progressed to his current role of Sales & Office Coordinator which manages the link between internal customers, external customers and suppliers.

One of Phil’s major responsibilities is handling the product sales through our Customer Head Office & Purchasing Departments. In addition supporting the Sales Team with various reports as well as dealing with a variety other matters including IT, maintaining price lists, product listings and supporting the National Sales & Marketing Manager.

Gavin Bridges – Business Development Manager South

With a wealth of experience in foodservice first working as a chef in the hotel and restaurant sector Gavin decided to move to a career in sales. Being on the other side of the dispatch hatch he wanted to impart practical knowledgeable and advice to chefs in their own kitchens. Working on developing relationships with each of Classic Catering’s customers, he uses this while utilising his knowledge and skills gained in previous roles by adding real value to their business. Working with Classic Catering helps Gavin to offer this and enables him to be a solution provider.

New Product Development

Mark Cooper – Development Manager

Mark joined Classic Catering at the beginning of 2009 after gaining many years experience in Patisserie. He is Swiss Trained and a Qualified Master Patissier plus a former Executive Pastry Chef of some of the Finest 5*Star Hotels Worldwide, experienced in Viennese, desserts, gateaux and chocolates. Mark is now adding his experience to the Team at Classic Catering in helping to create new and innovative desserts by meeting our customer requirements.