HCA chair explains how organisation is ‘transforming’ itself to help members meet challenges
Hospital Caterers Association (HCA) members heard how the organisation is ‘transforming’ itself to help members meet the challenges to come when they gathered in Birmingham for the annual HCA Leadership & Development Forum from 1-2 April 2025.
Welcoming hundreds of delegates, suppliers and guests to the HCA Forum, national chair Iain Robertson said that his work over the last year had been to continue the organisation’s three-year strategy for 2024-2027.
Robertson said: “One year on I can report that we have made good progress in the five key areas – finance, membership, education, partnership and promotion, and governance.”
He went to list a number actions and achievements in those areas, highlighting first of all how the organisation aims to manage its finances to ensure long-term viability, allowing continued delivery of services to its members.
It has, for example, invested in and launched a new website that features a centralised electronic membership and invoicing system that replaces the old paper-based system.
National finance director Caroline Darvill added: “Inevitable there will be a few teething problems, but bear with us as the benefits will make it worth it longer term.”
On membership, Robertson said the number of voting members was growing steadily, despite the negative impact of Covid, and now stood at 536, as against 426 in 2013.
He was keen to encourage more younger people into the organisation to provide new ideas and enthusiasm and to help the HCA develop the national officers of tomorrow.
A working party had been set up under the leadership of national vice chair Nicola Strawther to look at ideas such as a new development/junior membership to bring in people not currently senior enough to qualify. Also under consideration was a new Trust membership that would offer extra places, which would help bring in ‘new blood’ even if it didn’t bring in extra revenue immediately.
Robertson said that the Level 2 qualification for chefs working in health and social care was being re-launched with the National Association of Care Catering (NACC). The HCA and NACC have now been accredited as training centres which will allow them to offer online training together with a practical assessment that would be a lot more affordable.
The new HCA website launched to coincide with the 2025 Forum, has been designed to centralise and streamline various processes, enhance user experience, and increase member engagement through updated content and features.
It includes a modern homepage with links to various sections such as membership rates, news, events, and more. It also features embedded videos and interviews to enhance user engagement. Members are encouraged to submit news, case studies, and other content to keep the website updated.
