It is with much sadness that we share with you all that after a long battle with illness the loss of former chief executive Martin Bates.
Martin joined what was then The Cookery and Food Association back in November 1978, he started his career as a Chef in hotels, and worked his way up.
He enjoyed his time in the kitchen, but can be remembered more so as the managing director of Robot Coupe where he was for 25 years.
After this he created his own company New Classics, which he ran with great success, before selling to a large equipment wholesaler.
Still wanting to give back to the industry, and what was by now the renamed Craft Guild of Chefs, he put himself forward for the newly created position of chief executive, a position that he loved, and one he held for 9½ years from January 2006 – June 2015.
Developing many of the ideas that we still use today, and ensuring that we had robust plans in place from a standing start, Martin helped us move forward with great gusto and purpose.
Leaving behind his wife Angie, two daughters Debbie and Sally, as well as grandchildren, he will be greatly missed by so many people in the industry, many were not just colleagues but friends as well.
