ICCA UK & Ireland Chapter and Leith's have formed a three year business partnership in order to expand and enhance the ICCA member activity programme, launch joint initiatives and to raise the profile of catering within the meetings industry.

ICCA UK & Ireland chairperson Brian Horsburgh said: "Since taking over the ICCA UK&I Chapter chair I have overseen many changes: the board has been extended to include members who represent all sectors and geographical areas, and our twice yearly conference series has been developed.”

“Next steps include expanding and enhancing our member activity programme and the pioneering of joint initiatives within the UK&I meetings industry. We are also working on developing further activities with other chapters such as joint conferences and leads exchanges.

"All of these activities require an increase in our funding base. The three year business partnership with Leith's has given the Chapter a major boost to enable it to develop said activities. We chose Leith's because they are a major UK caterer who are part of the global Compass Catering Group."

"The relationship will be a joint working partnership for both parties: ICCA UK&I Chapter will involve Leith's in its activities, and invite them to engage with the industry on key catering issues."

Andy Hardy, operations director, Leith's said: "This partnership is an important progression for both the catering and meetings industries. Leith's and ICCA UK&I Chapter will be working together to raise the profile of the catering function as one of the key components of any meeting, in an international multi cultural context.”

“ICCA UK&I will utilise our expertise and experience within appropriate Chapter events and joint initiatives. The first practical example of this will be at the ICCA UK&I Chapter's summer conference at Excel in London in June.”

“The theme is "Future global meeting challenges" so an experienced conference banqueting practitioner from Leith's will talk on how the catering industry is responding to these challenges."