Accent Catering Services is marking its 25th anniversary as an independent contract catering company with a fundraising campaign supporting 25 UK charities.
The ‘25 for 25’ initiative brings together employees across the company’s 172 education and business and industry client sites, with a target of raising at least £25,000 by May 2027.
The company has committed to matching every £1 raised by its employees, up to a maximum of £1,000 for each participating charity.
Most of the 25 organisations have been nominated by Accent employees, reflecting causes with personal significance to members of the workforce.
The selected charities include Hospitality Action, Macmillan Cancer Support, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and Alzheimer’s Society.
Accent has also nominated organisations including Natasha’s Foundation and The Winch, which supports children, young people and families.
Ian Crabtree, Managing Director of Accent Catering, said: “This is a significant milestone in Accent’s history to date, so we wanted to mark it in a way that reflects our ethos of care and community. Our aim is to support our teams in raising a minimum of £25,000 for 25 charities. We will match every £1 raised by them, up to £1,000 per charity.”
The campaign encourages employees to organise individual and team fundraising activities, with staff across the business taking responsibility for supporting their chosen organisations.
Antony Prentice, Commercial Director of Accent Catering, said: “There has been a wonderful response from staff on hearing about this plan, with many enthusiastically volunteering to lead fundraising initiatives. For example, Kerrie Cole, one of our Operations Directors, has challenged herself to raise funds for all 25 charities, including a small charity she has nominated herself: F6IT, which provides fun, inclusive and accessible sports and recreational activities for disabled children and young people and their families.”
The initiative also coincides with the launch of Accent’s redesigned website, which the company says has been developed to improve accessibility for people with disabilities.
The website includes a dedicated fundraising page providing information about the 25 charities and links through which supporters can contribute to individual fundraising campaigns.
The anniversary comes as Accent continues to develop its contract catering operations across the education and workplace sectors.
Founded in 2001, the company has remained independently owned and is forecasting annual turnover of £60 million in 2026.
Accent reports an average client retention rate of 98% over its operating history, alongside a staff retention rate of 88%.
The company attributes these figures to its emphasis on long-term client relationships, workforce development and its independently operated business model.
The fundraising initiative follows Accent’s recent commitment to improving accessibility across its operations, including joining Accessible Hospitality Alliance in August 2026.
Antony Prentice said: “For the past 25 years Accent has quietly established itself as a quality, people-focussed company with a strong ethical approach. The business has thrived on its close relationships with clients and staff over those years. To have remained independent and true to the values that were established from the outset is testament to Accent’s vision, quality standards and commitment to organic growth.’
Reflecting on the company’s anniversary, Ian Crabtree said: “The hospitality sector has changed significantly over the last 25 years, with many exciting initiatives and opportunities, but also challenges, acquisitions and losses. For an independent player like Accent to have weathered challenges such as the Covid global pandemic and held its own throughout 25 years give us every reason to look forward to the future and celebrate, and what better way than to give to others.”
The ‘25 for 25’ campaign will continue until May 2027, with Accent employees fundraising for charities supporting health, disability inclusion, children, families and communities across the UK.