Houston & Hawkes

What Houston & Hawkes does

Houston & Hawkes is an independent UK contract caterer founded in 2019 by Simon Houston and Dave Hawkes, two industry veterans with 40+ combined years of experience gained at BaxterStorey and Bartlett Mitchell. The company provides on-site food services — coffee bars, cafés, staff restaurants, delis, salad bars, and corporate hospitality/events — to enterprise clients primarily in London and the South East, targeting law firms, finance companies, and workspace providers. Revenue is generated through long-term (multi-year) contractual agreements negotiated on a per-client basis, with services priced according to scope, headcount served, and menu requirements.

The business is differentiated by purpose-led positioning rather than technology. Houston & Hawkes was the UK's first contract caterer to achieve B Corp certification (score 110.6) and holds Living Wage accreditation, SafeSupplier Accreditation, three-star Food Made Good Standard, and a King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development (2026). The supply chain is built on named long-term partnerships with premium UK producers (Lake District Farmers, Wood Farm, Paul Rhodes Bakery, CheesePlus, Laurence J. Betts) and a single-origin Brazilian coffee estate. The go-to-market is direct enterprise field sales, relationship-driven, with B Corp and sustainability credentials used as competitive differentiators in pitches.

Operationally, the company runs a headquarters and support office at Stockley Park (Uxbridge) plus two London-based training academies (the People Academy for induction and team development, and the Barista Boot Camp for barista training). The senior leadership team includes a Commercial Director, Sales Director, Finance Director, Director of Food, Director of People Operations, and Head of ESG and Safety, supplemented by Chef Mentors including Sally Abé. Headcount stands at 83 employees, with the company having received four consecutive years of recognition on The Caterer's Top 30 Best Places to Work in Hospitality (2023-2026).

Name

Houston & Hawkes

Legal name

Houston & Hawkes Ltd

Website

https://houstonandhawkes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Houston & Hawkes is an independent UK contract caterer founded in 2019 that provides on-site food services — staff restaurants, cafés, coffee bars, delis, salad bars, and corporate hospitality — to enterprise clients in law, finance, and workspace sectors across London and the South East, differentiated by B Corp certification and purpose-led sourcing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contract Catering Services

NAICS

Food Service Contractors (72231), Food Service Contractors (722310), Full-Service Restaurants (722511)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Services-Facilities Support Management Services (8744)

akta.pro primary industry

Contract Foodservice Management (Outsourced Catering) (THAFAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA)

Keywords

• Contract catering
• Workplace catering
• Corporate hospitality
• Office food services
• Staff restaurants

Headquarters

HQ city

Uxbridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Contract Catering Services: Houston & Hawkes generates revenue through long-term contractual agreements with corporate clients, providing food services including staff restaurants, coffee bars, cafés, delis, salad bars, and events/hospitality. Revenue is contract-based, recurring, and sized to the client's workforce (e.g., serving 450+ employees at Stewarts).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Houston & Hawkes is an independent contract caterer providing workplace food and hospitality services to corporate clients across London and the South East of England. Its core offerings include on-site coffee bars, cafés, staff restaurants, delis, salad bars, and bespoke hospitality and events catering, delivered through long-term service contracts with corporate occupiers.

Product overview

Houston & Hawkes operates as an independent contract caterer offering a portfolio of food service operations including coffee bars, cafés, staff restaurants, delis, salad bars, and hospitality/events services. The company runs two London-based training academies: the People Academy for team development and temporary staffing, and the Barista Boot Camp for barista training. All services emphasize seasonal British produce, ethical sourcing, and partnerships with local suppliers, delivered through a chef-led approach focused on nutritious, flavourful food.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Workplace Coffee Bars On-site specialty coffee bars installed and operated in corporate workplaces for employees and visitors.
• Workplace Cafés On-site café concepts serving freshly prepared food, drinks, and casual dining options to corporate occupiers.
• Staff Restaurants Full staff restaurant catering service providing daily hot and cold food options for employees in larger corporate workplaces.
• Delis and Salad Bars Deli and salad bar concepts offering freshly prepared sandwiches, salads, and grab-and-go items for office-based customers.
• Corporate Hospitality and Events Catering Bespoke hospitality and events catering service providing food and beverage for corporate meetings, functions, and receptions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Four consecutive years (2023–2026) named in The Caterer's Top 30 Best Places to Work in Hospitality, reaching No.14 in 2026 — indicating strong talent retention and workplace culture.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Social Enterprise UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston & Hawkes is a member of Social Enterprise UK. The company describes itself as 'passionate about supporting those who benefit from our help' and has aligned its social enterprise supplier strategy with SEUK's mission.
• B CorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston & Hawkes is the UK's first contract caterer to achieve B Corp certification (score: 110.6), with recertification achieved subsequently. B Corp assesses social and environmental performance across five pillars: governance, workers, customers, communities, and environment.
• Hospitality ActioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston & Hawkes supports Hospitality Action, a charity providing vital support to hospitality industry workers who have fallen on hard times due to physical illness, mental health issues, financial difficulty, family problems, and addictions.
• Sally AbécoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership with Sally Abé (Great British Menu 2022 finalist, AYALA SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year 2021, consultant chef of The Pem at Conrad London St James). She provides strategic food development insight, co-hosts client events, delivers chef masterclasses, and writes monthly blogs. The partnership began in 2022 and was continued in 2025–2026.
• Living Wage FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston & Hawkes is Living Wage accredited, described as 'pretty unique in our sector.' The accreditation ensures all staff receive at least the real Living Wage, going beyond the government minimum.
• Mindful Employer CharterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston & Hawkes has signed the Mindful Employer Charter, committing to principles for improving mental health in the workplace. These principles are embedded into policies, procedures, and company culture.
• Lake District FarmerscoreTechnology or IntegrationPremium breed-specific meat supplier. All meat is reared and slaughtered within 50 miles of each farm then distributed from the Lake District. Over 50 farms in a boutique co-operative producing Herdwick lamb, Herdwick mutton, native breed beef, and naturally raised pink veal. Supports farmers and local community within the Lake District.
• Wood FarmcoreTechnology or IntegrationFamily-run free-range egg producer. All hens kept under RSPCA Freedom Foods and BEIC Lion Code farm assurance. 100% of eggs used by Houston & Hawkes are free range. Wood Farm has a 50 kWh solar system providing ~50% of total energy requirements.
• Fazenda CapoeirinhacoreTechnology or IntegrationCoffee farm in the Sul de Minas region of Brazil. Houston & Hawkes sources a single-origin, 100% Rainforest Alliance certified roast. The farm has 1,540 hectares dedicated to coffee with the remainder set aside for agroforestry and biodiversity corridors. Supports Ipanema estate investment programmes for employee education and health.
• Paul Rhodes BakerycoreTechnology or IntegrationFounded by former Michelin-starred chef Paul Rhodes in 2003. Traditional, hands-on bakery using classical techniques. Wheat grown in England and milled in London, supporting local farmers and reducing environmental impact. Winner of Baker of the Year at the Baking Industry Awards 2018.
• Laurence J. BettscoreTechnology or IntegrationLongstanding family business near West Malling, Kent, producing salads and cereals since 1930. Invested in solar panels for sustainable electricity. Maintains wild flower meadows to encourage wildlife including rare species such as the Bee Orchid. Participates in five-year environmental schemes.
• CheesePluscoreTechnology or IntegrationSpecialist cheese supplier and affineur (cheese maturer). Has supplied Houston & Hawkes 'since day dot.' Founded by Perry James Wakeman, the UK's first Affineur of the Year. Supplies artisan British farmhouse cheeses, with 40+ years of experience in selecting, ageing, and grading. Supports artisan British cheese makers through close farm relationships.
• Celia BrookscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChef consultant and food writer. Writes the monthly 'Grower's Guide' and 'Best In Season' blog series for Houston & Hawkes, covering seasonal British produce with recipes. Author of multiple cookbooks including 'New Vegetarian', 'New Urban Farmer', 'SuperVeg', and 'Low-Carb & Gluten-Free Vegetarian'.
• Cook for GoodminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston & Hawkes launched a partnership with Cook for Good in May 2024, a charitable initiative related to food donations and community support.
• SafeSuppliercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHouston & Hawkes received SafeSupplier Accreditation, confirming compliance with the highest standards in health & safety, quality, ethical best practices, and sustainability. Covers modern slavery prevention and environmental impact.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Gather & Gather: UK and Ireland contract caterer operating staff restaurants, cafés, delis and hospitality for corporate clients. Part of the CH&CO family; directly comparable service mix though typically larger site scale.
• Elior UK: UK arm of Elior Group, a global contract catering company operating staff restaurants, hospitality and events for corporate and public-sector clients. Overlapping capabilities and target market but at significantly greater scale.
• Compass Group UK & Ireland: UK arm of Compass Group, the world's largest contract foodservice and support services company. Competes for the same enterprise catering RFPs as Houston & Hawkes but with vastly greater scale, geographic reach and procurement leverage.
• Sodexo UK & Ireland: UK arm of Sodexo, one of the world's largest contract food services and facilities management companies. Serves corporate clients with staff dining, cafés, hospitality and events at significant scale across multiple sectors.

Regional players

• Rhubarb Food Design: London-based contract caterer and event hospitality business serving corporate clients with premium staff dining, hospitality and bespoke events. Comparable premium positioning and London/South East focus; Head of ESG hire James Carr previously worked at Rhubarb.

Direct peers

• Bartlett Mitchell: UK-based independent contract caterer serving corporate clients with staff restaurants, cafés, delis and hospitality. Direct comparable — Houston & Hawkes' co-founder Simon Houston was previously Sales Director at Bartlett Mitchell, and the two compete for the same enterprise RFPs in the London/South East market.
• Wilson Vale: UK independent contract caterer focused on workplace hospitality and dining for corporate clients, with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced food. Comparable boutique positioning, scale and values-led ethos.
• Lexington Catering: London-focused independent contract caterer serving corporate workplaces with staff restaurants, cafés, delis and events. Closest like-for-like competitor by size, geography, premium positioning and target client base.
• BaxterStorey: One of the UK's largest independent contract caterers, operating staff restaurants, cafés, hospitality and events for corporate clients. Co-founder Dave Hawkes was MD of BaxterStorey's central region (£70m+ turnover). Recent senior hires at Houston & Hawkes (e.g. Sales Director Jessica Burgess) joined from BaxterStorey, confirming direct head-to-head competition.
• CH&CO: Independent UK contract caterer providing workplace dining, hospitality and events to corporate clients across multiple sectors including financial services and professional services. Comparable in offering, scale range and client overlap.

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/houstonandhawkes
• Facebookfacebook.com/houstonandhawkes
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/houstonandhawkes
• Instagraminstagram.com/houstonandhawkes

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Houston & Hawkes