Steve Elliott takes over the reins at Valentine & CuisinEquip
Elliott’s promotion to managing director follows the retirement of the previous MD, Bob Wetherall who has now taken on the role of chairman
With more than 15 years of experience, including the best part of eight years heading up sales and marketing at Valentine & CuisinEquip,the UK-based distributor for several leading catering equipment brands, Steve Elliott has recently been announced as the company’s new managing director.
Following the recent news that Bob Witherall has begun his retirement, moving to the role of Chairman in the process, Elliott’s promotion from sales director to managing director came as no surprise to those who know the business and its loyal and dedicated team.
Commenting on his new role, Elliott says: “I’m proud to be the new managing director at Valentine & CuisinEquip and taking charge of a business with a heritage spanning some seven decades is a real honour. I genuinely see my role as one of a custodian, ensuring the company continues to thrive under my leadership and the ongoing commitment of our wonderful team.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Bob for his incredible dedication of more than 40 years with Valentine & CuisinEquip, growing it from a small distributor to the nationally and internationally renowned business we are today. I would also like to thank our customers, dealers, distributors and partners for their ongoing support – it’s very much appreciated.”
Having first joined the company as a national sales manager in 2008, Elliott became sales director in 2016. Since then, he has spearheaded growth of more than 150%, taking the business to a turnover in excess of £4m and becoming the exclusive distributor for several new manufacturers in the process.
Known by many as a champion of the hospitality industry and those who work in it, Elliott’s love for foodservice began when he trained in hotel and catering management at Norwich City College. He then went on to become a chef, working in several fast-paced, high-footfall sites, before hanging up his chef whites in return for a career in catering equipment sales. Stints with Falcon and Gram (now Hoshizaki) proved to be great experience for Elliott’s move to Valentine in 2008.
Elliott’s appointment as managing director comes shortly after Philip Sanderson was promoted to business development director and Carol-Ann Marshall joined the business as regional manager for Scotland – bringing a wealth of experience to the sales team in the process.
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