Payne and Gunter

What Payne and Gunter does

Payne & Gunter is a London-based premium event catering company that traces its heritage to 1786, operating today as a brand under Compass Group UK and Ireland via the Levy UK + Ireland sector. The company delivers bespoke catering, drinks service and venue-based hospitality for corporate and private clients, with marquee contracts at the BRIT Awards (20 consecutive years), Wimbledon, the UEFA Champions League Final 2024, the Royal Windsor Horse Show and Hampton Court Palace Festival. Its service portfolio spans banquet dining, canapés, food stations, small plates, mini meals, buffets, drinks service and concession catering, mapped against event types including conferences, corporate functions, gala dinners, awards ceremonies, large outdoor events, summer parties, exhibitions, Christmas parties and luxury weddings.

The underlying technology stack is non-proprietary: catering is a labor-intensive hospitality operation with no in-house platform or IP. Differentiation rests on heritage (since 1786, including three royal warrants held by the predecessor Gunter's business), long-standing venue partnerships (Hampton Court Palace, Natural History Museum, Somerset House, V&A, Old Billingsgate, Lime Venue Portfolio), celebrity-chef collaborations (Marcus Wareing, Will Devlin, Dipna Anand, Bryn Williams), and sustainability credentials including an 80% British seasonal sourcing policy, Foodsteps carbon labeling rolled out at the BRIT Awards 2024, and a Compass Group net-zero by 2030 commitment supported by South Pole since 2006.

The business model is professional-services catering: bespoke, event-by-event proposals with no publicly disclosed pricing, generated through a sales-led direct channel (phone, email, website enquiry) and a partnership/reseller channel via venue recommendations. Customers are concentrated in five segments — corporate events, weddings and private celebrations, large-scale events, awards and gala events, and outdoor events — with enterprise clients (BRIT Awards, UEFA, MIPIM UK, Royal Windsor Horse Show, Natural History Museum, Hampton Court Palace, Garsington Opera, London Pride, WiHTL & DIR) dominating the visible revenue base. Payne & Gunter is privately held; the core management team includes Managing Director Bethan James and Executive Chef Scott Dineen, supported by Compass Group's broader procurement, sustainability and operational infrastructure.

Name

Payne and Gunter

Legal name

Payne & Gunter

Website

https://payneandgunter.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1786

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Payne & Gunter is a London-based premium event caterer, in operation since 1786 and now a brand under Compass Group UK & Ireland (Levy UK + Ireland). It delivers bespoke food, drinks and hospitality for corporate events, gala dinners, weddings and high-profile occasions such as the BRIT Awards, Wimbledon and Hampton Court Palace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Event Catering Services

NAICS

Food Service Contractors (722310), Special Food Services (7223)

akta.pro primary industry

Event Catering (Weddings, Social, Private Parties) (THAFAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA), Wedding & Reception Catering (HSACAGAD), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ)

Keywords

• Event catering services
• Premium hospitality catering
• Banquet and canapé catering
• Corporate event catering
• Wedding catering services

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Bespoke Event Catering: Custom catering services for corporate and private events including conferences, awards dinners, gala dinners, weddings, and large-scale events. Revenue generated through food and beverage service, staffing, and event management fees.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Payne and Gunter is a London-based premium event caterer established in 1786, providing bespoke food and beverage catering for corporate events, private celebrations, weddings, and venue partnerships. Operating under Levy UK + Ireland within Compass Group UK and Ireland, the company delivers tailored menus across formats including banquets, canapés, plated dinners, food stations, street food, drinks and hospitality service, and outdoor/marquee events.

Product overview

Payne & Gunter is a premium event catering company offering a comprehensive portfolio of food service types and event catering solutions. Their core offerings include banquet, dinner, canapés, drinks, food stations, small plates, mini meals, and buffet catering services. They specialize in catering for diverse event types including conferences, corporate events, gala dinners, awards ceremonies, large events, outdoor events, summer parties, exhibitions, Christmas parties, and luxury weddings. The company operates as part of Compass Group UK & Ireland under the Levy UK + Ireland brand, providing catering services at iconic London venues including Hampton Court Palace, Natural History Museum, Somerset House, Victoria and Albert Museum, Old Billingsgate, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Corporate Event Catering

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 90% plant-based menu items at BRIT Awards 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Garsington OperacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2025New partnership starting May 2025 at Wormsley Estate. Payne & Gunter will provide catering including elegant afternoon teas, picnic hampers, fine dining, and creative canapes. Collaboration also includes chef Will Devlin from The Small Holding (Michelin Green Star) for farm-to-fork menus using local seasonal ingredients.
• Levy UK + IrelandcoreOthersLevy UK + Ireland is Compass Group UK and Ireland's sports, leisure and hospitality sector. Payne & Gunter operates as a brand under Levy UK + Ireland, benefiting from shared resources and market leadership.
• Compass Group UK and IrelandcoreOthersPayne & Gunter is a brand under Compass Group UK & Ireland, providing shared insights, resources, and commitment to reducing environmental impact including net-zero by 2030 goal.
• Tin & GlasscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeverage partners for events, specializing in non-alcoholic cocktails and premium drink curation. Tin & Glass creates signature serves like the Cucumber & Elderflower Sour using Tanqueray 0.0 as base.
• South PoleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld-leading environmental consultants partnered since 2006 to help set and achieve climate targets, supporting Compass Group's commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• Peppermint BarsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple award-winning drink extraordinaires providing quality drinks solutions at concerts, sports events, and festivals across UK venues from Isle of Wight to Scotland.
• KERBminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGroup of inspirational street food sellers bringing cutting-edge street food experiences to events and venues across the UK.
• Will Devlin / The Small HoldingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichelin Green Star chef behind Kent's restaurant The Small Holding. Farm-to-fork philosophy with produce from one-acre farm and local suppliers. Collaborating on Garsington Opera menus.
• Dipna AnandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCulinary sensation known for Brilliant Restaurant and cookery school, drawing inspiration from Punjab and Northern India. Brings varied and vibrant menus to Payne & Gunter collection.
• Bryn WilliamsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated to sustainability, seasonality, and local ingredients. Chef Patron of Odette's. Menus emphasize flavour with fresh, local produce from North Wales heritage.
• Marcus WareingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMichelin-starred Chef Patron of 'Marcus' at The Berkeley Hotel and Master Chef judge. Guest appearances at prestigious events including Wimbledon Rosewater Pavilion with European-inspired dishes.
• Julie’s BicycleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability experts collaborated with on BRIT Awards 2023 to ensure planet-friendly practices from start to finish.
• Lime Venue PortfoliocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue sourcing partner providing access to portfolio of iconic UK venues. Payne & Gunter pairs with their venues for bespoke Christmas catering and other events.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Rhubarb Food Design: London-based premium event caterer specialising in high-end corporate and private events, hospitality, and venue partnerships. Direct competitor for prestigious London corporate mandates.
• Searcys: Long-established UK premium event and venue caterer (founded 1847) operating at iconic London and nationwide venues including St Pancras, the Barbican, and Gherkin. Directly comparable on event catering, prestige positioning, and venue partnership model.
• Create Events: London-based full-service event caterer offering bespoke menus for corporate, private, and large-scale events. Comparable on bespoke menu design, premium positioning, and London event market focus.
• Baxter Storey: UK premium contract and event caterer serving corporate clients, venues, and workplaces with a focus on quality hospitality. Comparable on premium B2B event catering in the UK market.
• Smart Group: UK hospitality group operating event catering, venue catering, and food services for weddings, corporate, and large-scale events. Comparable on premium UK event catering and venue partnerships.
• Blue Strawberry: London event caterer offering bespoke catering for weddings, corporate events, and private parties at premium venues. Comparable on bespoke, off-premise event catering in London.
• Zafferano: London-based premium catering company focused on corporate, private, and wedding events with Italian culinary influence. Comparable on bespoke event catering at high-end venues in the London market.

Broad incumbents

• Sodexo Live!: Global contract caterer's sports, leisure, and events division operating at stadia, venues, and large-scale events. Comparable as a broad incumbent competing for the same prestigious venue and event mandates.
• Levy Restaurants: US-based sports, entertainment, and hospitality caterer and direct sister brand under Compass Group. Comparable on premium event catering for major sports and entertainment venues globally.
• Compass Group UK and Ireland: Parent organisation that owns Payne & Gunter via Levy UK + Ireland. Operates a broad portfolio of catering, hospitality, and support services across the UK; Payne & Gunter sits within its sports, leisure and hospitality sector.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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• Facebookfacebook.com/payneandgunter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/payneandgunter
• Instagraminstagram.com/payneandgunter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 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 Payne and Gunter