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Wilson Vale has been appointed as the new catering partner at St Cross College, one of Oxford University’s leading graduate colleges and will manage its full catering provision from January 2026, including the Dining Hall, student café and bar, as well as the extensive hospitality and events schedule.
Located on St Giles’ in the heart of the city, St Cross College is home to over 650 students and approximately 150 fellows. The College has a strong international profile, with more than half of its students coming from outside the UK and over 70 countries represented.
B Corp caterer Wilson Vale will provide menus centred on fresh, seasonal dishes cooked by skilled chefs. Core ingredients will be sourced within a 50-mile radius where possible, alongside meaningful engagement with Oxford-based charities and the wider local community. The catering team will work closely with College committees and stakeholders to deliver an exceptional, responsive service for students, fellows and staff.
Strong relationships and excellent service will sit at the heart of the partnership. Investment in training and development will ensure the catering team consistently delivers a warm and welcoming experience that reflects the values of St Cross College.
Melissa Wallbank, Managing Director at Wilson Vale, said: “St Cross College is a truly special academic community. We are incredibly proud to be partnering with the College and to be entrusted with such a central part of daily life. Our focus will be on delivering fresh, thoughtfully prepared food alongside a service that feels personal, inclusive and genuinely supportive of students, fellows and staff.”
Harriet Quint, Domestic Bursar and Director of Operations at St Cross College, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Wilson Vale as our new catering partner. Food plays a vital role in bringing our community together, and Wilson Vale’s commitment to quality, sustainability and people strongly aligns with our values. Their emphasis on fresh food and attentive service gives us great confidence that this partnership will enhance the experience at St Cross.”
According to the 2026 UK Facilities Management Market Research Report by askporter, facilities management professionals want clear, verifiable evidence of work being delivered, with teams that can communicate progress in real time. This requires technology that is affordable, intuitive, and quick to adopt.
Yet the report found that:
Over three quarters of FM professionals (76 per cent) experience operational inefficiencies caused by siloed software which results in a lack of real-time visibility.
Communications challenges lead to maintenance issues, with 73 per cent of teams being forced into reactive problem-solving on a weekly basis.
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Closing this gap requires the establishment of transparent and consistent communications using affordable software that gives FM teams the ability to track, evidence and improve their services.
This webinar provides a valuable overview of the main findings of the report by askporter followed by a panel discussion by FM thought leaders on practical, strategic solutions that can help close this communications gap.
To register for the webinar taking place 29 January 2026 at 11:00am click here.
