Lynn McClelland leaves Elior after only 13 months

Lynn McClelland, managing director of Elior’s Contracts division, has left the caterer after just 13 months in the role, following a structural review of the business, Caterer can reveal.

Contracts, which contains Elior’s business and industry brand Avenance, is the engine room of the caterer, contributing half of its annual group turnover of £280m last year.

McClelland joined Elior last October from industrial giant General Electric, where she was managing director of equipment financing. Her shock departure comes less than a year after Andrew Mortimer, managing director of Elior’s Integrated Services division, left the business to join facilities management firm Emcor as national sales manager.

Although a direct replacement for Mortimer has not been appointed, John McEwen, who was previously a sales manager at Elior’s facilities management business, was subsequently promoted to managing director of Elior Defence Contracts, which makes up the lion’s share of the Integrated Services division.

McClelland’s departure means that Elior UK potentially has two out of three managing director positions to fill after its move in May 2007 to restructure the business into three operating divisions: Integrated Services, Contracts (Avenance, healthcare and education) and Concessions (Digby Trout Restaurants).

Elior’s Contracts division will now report directly to Elior UK chief executive Mike Audis, who thanked McClelland for her professionalism in managing the Contracts business.

In September, Elior recruited a new finance director, Phil Foster, who was director of corporate finance for food supplier Brakes.

For a round-up of contract catering news see>>

The knowledge: Elior UK>>

Elior recruits new finance director>>

Elior's facilities management managing director quits>>

Elior UK restructuring continues apace with new appointments>>

Elior has new focus on facilities management>>

By Chris Druce

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