Industry legend retires

One of the hospitality industry’s great personalities, David Smithson, will retire from his role as CEO of the Winterhalter Group of companies at the end of the year. Widely known and respected across the industry, he grew the Winterhalter and Classeq brands in the UK to their current position within the Winterhalter Group.

Smithson joined Winterhalter as CEO in the early 90s. Over the next 25 years he grew the business from a £6m base to being a £50m group of companies in the UK, covering international markets such as the USA, Middle East, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.

He said: “It’s been an incredible delight to have had the opportunity to experience being immersed in all aspects of the industry. If I could do it all again, I wouldn’t change a thing. Well, maybe a few things but not much!”

The Winterhalter baton has been handed to Stephen Kinkead and Classeq to Andy Salter. They are both well-known figures in their own right across the industry.