Assist FM chair Nicky Joiner makes Public Sector Catering ‘most influential’ list 

Nicky Joiner, chair of Assist FM, has been named as one of the ‘most influential’ people in the industry by Public Sector Catering Magazine. Every year Public Sector Catering brings together a group of experienced industry leaders and asks them to name the people they believe are the key influencers. Assist FM represents facilities management […]

Nicky Joiner, chair of Assist FM, has been named as one of the ‘most influential’ people in the industry by Public Sector Catering Magazine.

Every year Public Sector Catering brings together a group of experienced industry leaders and asks them to name the people they believe are the key influencers.

Assist FM represents facilities management providers working across Scotland’s 32 local authorities. Joiner took over as chair of the organisation from Christopher Ross in November 2024.

In her day job she has been the catering services manager at East Renfrewshire Council since January 2024 overseeing food provision across a range of educational settings.

She is committed to ensuring that every child and young person has daily access to healthy and nutritious meals, championing inclusive, high-quality catering that supports wellbeing and promotes the use of local produce.

Joiner started and chaired the Hands on Hungry catering arm of ASSIST in 2018 to help members implement the new school food standards, including the creation of a compliant product database and the National Recipe Book.

At the Public Sector Catering Expo, Joiner took part in a six-person panel debate about the state of the nation. Joiner discussed key topics such as recruitment and cost related challenges, the growing concerns around childhood obesity and the importance of staff training.

Joiner was named on the list alongside leading figures including Professor Don Bundy, Nadim & Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, Sharon Hodgson MP, Jayne Jones, the LACA chair, Professor Kevin Morgan, Alexia Robinson and Anna Taylor.