City Harvest Appoints New Chair: Food Industry Leader, Paul Freeston

Paul Freeston, currently Chair & CEO of apetito UK & North America and past Chair and President of the Food & Drink Federation, has been appointed as new Chair of City Harvest London.

Over the last 25 years Paul has led the apetito team developing a highly successful business driven by a social purpose. Paul will step down from his role at apetito at the end of 2024.

“I am thrilled to have been invited to serve as the new Chair of City Harvest and to support the next phase of development of this wonderful charity.  Food poverty is at an unacceptable high in our society today and City Harvest’s service provides vital support as well as addressing the climate impact of food waste. The team at City Harvest inspire great change and I am really looking forward to supporting them and working with the rest of the Board.” Paul Freeston.

Paul (right) succeeds Co-Founder and Chair Steve Winningham (left).

“City Harvest London was launched 10 years ago to help nourish hungry families and individuals whilst also reducing the scourge of quality food going to waste.  During this decade we’ve sourced and delivered food for over 65 million meals.  It’s been a privilege for me to have been a part of this urgent mission as Co-Founder and Chair.  

After an extensive search we’ve attracted a highly accomplished new Chair, Paul Freeston, to lead our skilled and passionate Board and to support our excellent Senior Leadership Team.  Paul is a successful food company builder and leader, having grown apetito UK/North America tenfold over a 25 year period.  His focus on strategic growth, quality operations, partnerships and team culture are exactly the talents City Harvest needs to further accelerate our scale, impact and efficiency.  In addition, his time as Chair of the Food & Drink Federation will enable further access and collaboration across the food and charity sectors.  We’re immensely proud that he has joined City Harvest.”

Through the passionate work of founding CEO, Laura Winningham, for the first 8 years, and the City Harvest team, City Harvest has consistently increased its impact. Lockdown was pivotal for the charity and saw the capital’s need spike with City Harvest as an emergency service for food. In 2020 Laura Winningham was recognised as one of Covid’s Unsung Heroes and awarded an OBE. The whole team made the near impossible happen – what the charity does best.

The Board

Appointed to the City Harvest board in the last 12 months have been Shaun Browne, Houlihan Lokey, who has now become vice-chair, and will take the chair of City Harvest’s Food Council. Michelle Butler, Orchid Communications has been appointed to the remuneration, appointments and policy (RAP) committee which will be Chaired by Rajesh Makwana of Sufra NW London. Grace Reid, EEDI specialist, has also been appointed to the RAP committee. Duncan Everett of Noble foods has also joined the board, along with Chris Ralph, former Chief Global Strategist of SJP.

City Harvest CEO, Sarah Calcutt, states, “One of the key reasons for wanting to join City Harvest was the legacy of Laura and Steve Winningham, who created a huge hearted organisation that quickly became part of the fabric of London. I could not be more delighted that Paul has chosen City Harvest as his first Chair’s role in his new plural career. I know that he will bring real dynamism to our already outstanding board.  He’s also an extremely practical person, our warehouse team are looking forward to welcoming him to his first volunteer shift next Monday.  Paul understands the scale of the challenge that we are facing, bringing a nutritious diet to those living in dire poverty today, he has a big heart and has always been driven to affect change for good, really caring for people.”

About City Harvest

City Harvest food charity rescues food, people, and the planet by rescuing surplus food and feeding, for free, over 120,000 people a week. Malnutrition and mental health is at an all-time low in the low UK due to the rising cost of food.

The charity is a sustainable solution for food businesses to eliminate food waste and make huge social impact at the same time. City Harvest drivers know their communities’ needs and proudly support communities across London and beyond. As experts in their area, each year they publish a tryptic of value reports looking at the value of food redistribution to the food industry, to people and to the planet.

With an established network of 375+ community partners City Harvest reaches the most vulnerable people through schools, food banks, community centres, hostels, homeless, refuges and refugee centers.