Restaurant & Catering Australia has appointed Suresh Manickam as its new CEO, with a view to leading the industry forward as the recovery post COVID-19 continues.
Manickam started in the role this week and brings him strong association experience, previously serving as Secretary and CEO for the National Electrical and Communications Association (NECA) and Executive Officer for Strata Community Australia (NSW). He has also held senior leadership roles with the Housing Industry Association, Group Training Australia and the NSW Minerals Council, been an industry appointee to different federal and state government panels and a former advisor to Senator the Hon. Marise Payne.
R&CA welcomes Manickam as it celebrates 100 years as Australia’s hospitality peak body, providing support, guidance and leadership for the country’s 58,000 restaurants, cafes and catering businesses.
Association President Mike Palmer said: “We are committed to fixing the current skills shortage crisis through immigration and training, to improving industry perception, creating inspirational career pathways and lowering the cost of doing business. Our board is very much looking forward to working with Suresh and our members as we continue to chase these and other objectives.”
The R&CA thanks outgoing CEO Belinda Clarke for leading the association through a crucial period and wishes her all the best for the future. Belinda and her team worked tirelessly to create industry changes and provide more support for both owners and operators.
“We are starting the next 100 years of the R&CA with great confidence,” Palmer said.