MBE award at Palace for University catering head

An official ceremony at Buckingham Palace saw a University of Reading director who has overseen major catering sustainability progress receive an MBE from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

Matthew White, Director of Campus Commerce and a leading figure in public sector catering, was presented with the MBE in person on 24 June after being named in the New Year’s Honours.

Matthew said: “To be invested into this great order alongside Knights, Dames and other people who have given such great service to our country was very humbling indeed.

“I was so blown away in the first instance to have been nominated for the award, but to actually walk through the great staterooms of the palace and mingle with all of the other recipients of the awards was mind-blowing.”

During his 30 years at the University, Matthew has overseen many major improvements, including promoting innovative ways for universities to serve sustainable food, driving the University’s engagement with the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative, and delivering sustainably-sourced meals to Reading students.

He served as Chair of The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) for five years up to 2020, leading TUCO to a number of awards. He has also won a number of other individual catering awards including the Public Sector Award at the Cateys in 2019 and the CESA Foodservice Industry Order of Merit in 2018.

Matthew said: “I will never, ever forget that wonderful day and I will wear my MBE with pride, honouring all my wonderful team and all we have achieved.”