Angel Hill Food Co. colleagues support customers in busy kitchens, hospitality spaces and workplace restaurants every day. Their work requires skill, resilience and care. It creates environments where food brings people together and where customers and communities feel welcome.
This International Women’s Day, we are recognising the women across our catering teams who contribute to our success, develop others and lead with confidence.
Jennifer Brown, Catering Manager
What inspired your career in catering?
For Jennifer, it started with a love of food and the way it brings people together. That sense of connection became the foundation of her career.
As she progressed, learning from others played a key role. Different roles, constructive feedback and strong working relationships shaped her development. She believes you only get out what you put in, and that mindset has guided her growth into a leadership role.
How have you supported others, and how has that helped you grow?
Jennifer leads by example. Supporting colleagues has strengthened her communication skills and patience, particularly when working with different personalities.
She finds it rewarding to see others succeed. Sharing knowledge and helping colleagues build confidence has sharpened her leadership skills in return.
How does investing in people create stronger teams?
“I believe that giving time and encouragement builds trust. When colleagues feel listened to and valued, they gain confidence. That confidence creates a positive working environment where people feel supported and empowered, leading to stronger teamwork and better outcomes for customers.”
Angela Urwin, Operations Director for Catering
What inspired your career in catering?
Angela’s interest began at home, baking with her mother. A Saturday job as a waitress strengthened her ambition. Watching chefs at work, she decided to follow that path.
She began college at 16, gaining City and Guilds qualifications alongside specialist training in cake decoration and confectionery finishing. Early hotel roles required resilience and confidence while working in male-dominated kitchens. She adapted and progressed through bakery roles, Chef Manager positions, larger contracts and operations leadership.
Fourteen years ago, she became Operations Director, a position she continues to hold. She credits hard work, courage and taking ownership of her development for her progression.
How have you supported others, and how has that helped you grow?
Angela coaches her teams to strengthen financial awareness, deliver KPIs and support sustainable performance.
She encourages colleagues to build their profiles and take responsibility for their development. In her view, leaders are only as strong as the teams around them. Investing in others strengthens the whole business.
How does investing in people create stronger teams?
“I promote freedom within a clear framework, encouraging colleagues to be brave, take ownership and learn from experience, with guidance in place. Training and coaching build confidence and resilience, leading to stronger collective performance and improved outcomes for customers.”
Angela Urwin, Operations Director
Jennifer Brown, Catering Manager
Hannah Parish, Nutritionist
What inspired your career in nutrition, and were there any female inspirations?
Hannah’s interest in nutrition began from a personal perspective. While strength training and running, she wanted to understand how to fuel performance and support long-term health. That curiosity developed into a career.
As her knowledge grew, she became increasingly aware of the amount of conflicting and unqualified advice in the nutrition space. She chose to pursue formal education so she could rely on evidence-based practice and help others navigate the “food noise” with clarity and confidence.
She draws inspiration from women such as Dr Emily Prpa, Dr Faye Bates, Dr Hazel Wallace, Sophie Waplington and Sophie Gastman. Their clear communication, science-led approach and focus on female health have shaped her own practice: inclusive, practical and grounded in evidence.
What have you given to others that has helped you grow?
Hannah joined Angel Hill a year ago alongside Amy Teichman. Together, they have strengthened and refined the nutrition offer across sectors, aligning concepts with current research and making resources more accessible for site teams.
This was her first nutrition role within catering. Through collaboration and mentoring, she has progressed from Associate Registered Nutritionist to Registered Nutritionist, building confidence in communication and inclusive practice. The experience has supported her growth in both capability and leadership.
How does giving time and encouragement create stronger outcomes?
Hannah believes trust is essential. When teams feel supported rather than judged, they are more open to embedding nutrition into their food offer.
“By focusing on small, meaningful changes and building strong relationships with kitchen teams, confidence grows. Sites take ownership, use resources independently and engage more deeply.”
That collaboration creates sustainable impact and brings nutrition to life in a way that feels practical and achievable for every team.
Chris Ince, Chef Director
From your perspective in leadership, how do female chefs, managers and site teams strengthen our performance and culture?
Diversity strengthens performance in every workplace, and catering is no different. Drawing from the widest pool of talent brings different experiences and perspectives into decision-making and service delivery, reducing blind spots and improving outcomes.
Strong female representation allows the business to benefit from outstanding craft and management capability. Women chefs and managers are fundamental to the catering operation, contributing to diverse teams that reflect the customers and communities we serve.
The theme this year is Give to Gain. How does investment in women’s development benefit the wider business?
Investing in women’s career development supports the long-term success of the business. Catering operates in highly competitive sectors, and strong teams require the best people in operational roles.
Clear development pathways create higher-calibre teams with a wider range of experiences and viewpoints. This strengthens working environments and improves outcomes for customers. Businesses that actively support women’s careers also strengthen their reputation and attract talented people across the market.
What responsibility do senior leaders have in creating opportunities for women to progress in operational roles?
Senior leaders have a responsibility to create the conditions where women are encouraged to take opportunities and supported to succeed.
Flexibility plays an important role. Many women face difficult choices when balancing career development with family life. Flexible working arrangements, job sharing, phased responsibility or regional roles closer to home can help colleagues continue developing their careers while managing personal commitments.
Thoughtful leadership and practical support can unlock significant potential across the workforce and strengthen both culture and productivity.
Chris Ince, Chef Director
Hannah Parish, Nutritionist
