Julie Barker, TUCO Chair and Director of Accommodation & Hospitality, University of Brighton, said: “To enhance and build upon the strengths of our offering, we are re-launching our proposition to both members, industry and suppliers, our magazine, website and re-positioning of our brand to ensure that the next 50 years of TUCO continue to see our members and suppliers thrive as a result of our input, against a context of economic challenges.
“We know that the scale of the financial decision of choosing a university – thanks to increased tuition fees - means more competition than ever between institutions.
“The more savvy universities are already using their food and beverage offering to their advantage in marketing to prospective students.
“Now more than ever, the student experience and wellbeing offering is assessed as a whole, with the quality of catering examined alongside accommodation, recreational and leisure facilities, transport infrastructure, academic faculties and resources.
“The right approach can enhance the campus offering, acting as a huge draw to students.”
She added that the new plans followed extensive member and supplier consultation and aimed to deliver more value and help to everyone within university catering and the wider industry.
“The basic foundations of the new TUCO are “share, learn, buy, grow” each of which helps to deliver a better catering solution.”
The event coincided with a milestone anniversary for TUCO, marking 50 years of advancing education and training within university catering and hospitality, and providing quality standards, advice and information to those working in the sector.