Women's Forum

This event offers our members the chance to hear from other high-profile female leaders. The breakfasts are very popular and it is highly advisable to book as early as possible.

Date:    Thursday 9 September 2010

Time:   8.00am - 10.00am

Venue: The Ivy, 1-5 West Street, London , WC2H 9NQ

Guest Speaker

Sue Davenport, Managing Director, Pasta King

Sue Davenport began her career when, as a 27 year-old mother of two pre-school children, she took a job as a part-time job at a foodservice company in South Wales.  Now, 20 years on, she has succeeded as the managing director of Pasta King, one of the most foodservice successful suppliers to school caterers, leisure centres and workplace canteens. Through Sue's expert guidance, the company has grown from a small family-owned business to a position of market leadership with sales in excess of £12m.

In 1988, Sue joined foodservice company Aramark as part-time tele-marketer.  After just five years she was the company's top regional sales manager and by 2002 she had moved to Aramark's London headquarters to assume a National Sales Director position where, supported by a very small team, she won £3m of new business within her first nine months in the role. 

In early 2003, she joined Pasta King as Sales & Marketing Director.  Sue's focus and dynamic sales approach soon became apparent as she drove business development in new sectors by developing and implementing a strategic sales and marketing plan that significantly raised the brand profile and repositioned the company to contract caterers as a credible and key player in the healthy meals market. 

When, in 2005 Pasta King's owners decided to sell, Sue completed a successful management buyout with the company's Operations Director Paul Haigney. As Managing Director, Sue took Pasta King to the next level leaving it in a leadership position in its industry. During her tenure, the business has been recognised for outstanding performance winning Food Manufacturing Business of the Year 2007,Orange National SME of the Year 2008 and the BVCA women CEO of the Year 2009.

During November 2009 Sue and the original management team sold its stake in Pasta King to NBGI Private Equity.

Sponsorship & Exhibition Opportunities

For further information and to discuss your requirements, please contact Tommy Nguyen, Commercial Manger, tnguyen@bvca.co.uk.