Sterling Supergroup appoints new chairman and celebrates achievements
Sterling Supergroup has appointed Nigel Chadd as its chairman.
Chadd (pictured), who sold his business, Chadd’s Foodsmiths, to fellow Sterling member J&R Foodservice earlier this year, replaces John Whitechurch OBE of J&R Foodservice, who steps down as chairman after eight years of service.
Chadd said, “I am honoured and delighted to become chairman of the Sterling Supergroup. Sterling has been part of the Chadd’s DNA since the early ’90s. With the recent sale to our local friends and members at J&R Foodservice, this has released the appropriate time to invest in this role fully with dedication and enthusiasm.
“As chairman, my goal is to continue building on the strong foundation that has already been laid by our former chairman, John Whitechurch, and the team at Sterling. I am committed to encouraging further collaboration and working closely with all our members and suppliers to support our shared goals and maximise the potential of the group.”
The announcement was made at the group’s AGM, which saw record attendance and discussions around data, sustainability and future plans.
As part of the AGM, TWC spoke to members about the importance and power of data, highlighting how insight-led decision making can unlock new opportunities and drive smarter growth across members’ businesses, Sterling Supergroup as a whole, and the wider foodservice sector.
It followed Sterling Supergroup’s 59th annual conference and exhibition, held in Gloucestershire.
The theme of the conference, ‘Future-Proofing Foodservice: Wellbeing as a Competitive Edge’, reflected a growing recognition that wellbeing isn’t just a people priority, it’s essential for all businesses. From mental health support to workplace culture, wellbeing is shaping how foodservice businesses attract and retain talent, build resilience, and create long-term value.
In line with this theme, attendees joined a thought-provoking session led by Jemma Willins from Seismic Change, who explained how the B Corp framework, specifically the workers pillar, can help build a strong foundation with little or no cost to a business.
The session offered practical takeaways, including an essential toolkit for small, actionable changes that can be implemented immediately to help build a resilient and future-proof business.
Sterling Supergroup shared the progress it has made over the past 12 months, including the launch of its new Sterling Caterers Essentials marketing tools for members and a look at plans for 2026.
The event also included an annual award ceremony where members and suppliers came together to celebrate each other’s achievements. The winners of the 2025 awards were:
Daniel Larkin, CCO of Sterling Supergroup (left), with Yan and Nicky Whitechurch from J&R Foodservice – winner of Member of the Year – and Nigel Chadd, Sterling Supergroup chairman (right).
Member of the Year 2025 – J&R Foodservice
Supplier of the Year 2025 – Unilever Food Solutions
Sterling Caterers Essentials Member of the Year 2025 – Cool Cuisine Foodservice
Sterling Caterers Essentials Supplier of the Year 2025 – Martin Mathew & Co
Sustainability Member of the Year 2025 – Strachans
Sustainability Supplier of the Year 2025 – Marshfield Farm Ice Cream
Daniel Larkin, chief commercial officer of Sterling, said: “After a year of drawing interest and elevating awareness of all our group’s assets, it was a real pleasure to see the Sterling community in full swing. The theme for this year’s conference really hit the mark and seemed to spark some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had in ages. We also saw a record number of entrants and nominations for our awards, which continue to gain momentum as a powerful driver of excellence.”
Sterling Supergroup celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026.
