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As the centrepiece of Food, Drink & Hospitality Week, HRC, the UK’s leading event for foodservice and hospitality, is pleased to announce its key 2026 Ambassadors, in addition to Chef Ambassador Adam Handling MBE, who was announced last month.

This year’s line-up brings together respected leaders from across the sector who will help shape the show’s content, highlight key industry conversations, and support HRC’s mission to inspire and champion hospitality professionals.

The ambassadors are: Robert Richardson FIH MI Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Hospitality (IoH); Lee Donkin Managing Director of Cedabond; Paul Anderson MEIKO UK Limited’s Managing Director; Katie Deem Director and Head of Hospitality & Leisure Sector - 4C Associates; Radford Chancellor Principal Consultant - Macintosh Foodservice Consultants and industry podcast host of ‘Kitchen Curiosity’; Mark Reynolds National Chairman Craft Guild of Chefs; Paula O'Neill Director of Culinary - Aramark; Julian George of The Future Plate; Matt Ford Director of Business Development Krowd, and Natalia Shyra Principal at Omo Design.

Commenting on his ambassador’s role, Julian George of The Future Plate will be curating a new hub: “We’re creating an innovative feature at HRC 2026 to celebrate the food and culture of black chefs who are rooted in their heritage, and who will tell their stories through the dishes they will be demonstrating live.  Going back to their past to lay foundations for the future.”

Mark Reynolds, National Chairman Craft Guild of Chefs said that he was particularly looking forward to the International Salon Culinaire competitions that he will be judging: “Particularly the chance to see the young chefs who are the future of our industry, and the hard work and dedication that they will put in at the Live Theatre and Skills Theatre.  I’m also really looking forward to the street food competition, it’s a great new initiative.”

Lee Donkin of Cedabond says: “Being asked to be an HRC 2026 Ambassador was a real honour. Having exhibited for years in senior supplier roles, I’ve always seen HRC as the pinnacle trade show for the UK catering equipment sector. As an ambassador, I’m focused on helping keep that momentum strong and highlighting the huge opportunities the event brings to suppliers, dealers, distributors and operators. I’m especially looking forward to three days of networking, reconnecting with colleagues and discovering the latest innovations - plus seeing the new Cedabond villages come to life for the first time.”

Radford Chancellor of Macintosh Foodservice Consultants is also looking forward to spending time in the Cedabond villages across all three days of the show, meeting and advising industry colleagues, talking through upcoming products and projects, and helping both distributors and manufacturers make the most of what’s on offer at the event.

Katie Deem of 4C Associates believes that HRC provides a strong opportunity for operators to look together at the challenges facing the sector at exceptional panel discussions: “I’ll be sharing our experience in foodservice to help businesses look at streamlining their costs and operations across the whole value chain.  Everyone can come away with something to discuss further and action.”

Robert Richardson of the IoH is looking forward to spreading positivity around the industry: “I’ll be based on the IoH stand where we’ll be showing how our highly creative industry can build their skills and take advantage of valuable training we can provide - teaching people to solve problems as they arise.”

Paul Anderson of MEIKO UK is keen to use his role as an ambassador to encourage greater attendance by visitors and exhibitors. “It’s a great honour to be asked again to be an ambassador, and to play my part in encouraging new ideas and formats across the show.”

Matt Ford of Krowd said: “I’m truly passionate about serving as an HRC Ambassador for the first time because hospitality lives and breathes loyalty. From the Vision Stage I’ll be championing the ideas and smart quantifiable data that help operators build lasting loyalty. HRC is where the industry moves forward, and I’m proud to help drive that.”

Being appointed an HRC ambassador for the first time is “an honour” for Natalia Shyra, an interior designer of OMO London working across commercial and hospitality projects. “I’m excited to contribute to the hospitality industry by working with HRC on the 2026 show,” she says. “I will be honoured to judge the design submissions and support the HRC team in curating the design talent behind the show's most inspiring installations.”