Henry Crane Takes Charge as Chair of Public Catering at Stadium Experience

Stadium Experience has officially appointed Henry Crane as the new Chair of Public Catering. This role, which is part of the not-for-profit association, positions Crane to lead efforts in enhancing catering services at stadium venues across the UK. Crane succeeds Nav Daine, who has dedicated seven years to establishing and developing this vital sector within the organization.

Crane brings a wealth of experience to the role, having served as the Public Catering Manager at MKM Stadium, home to both Hull City and Hull FC. His leadership has been instrumental in the stadium’s success, culminating in the recent achievement of winning the Best Retail Catering Award at the Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards for the second time in three years.

Crane’s Vision for Public Catering

With over a decade of involvement in the Stadium Experience community, Crane aims to leverage his expertise to guide the direction of public catering in stadiums. He emphasized the importance of collaboration among professionals within the sector, stating, “The Public Catering group has become an invaluable resource—a collective of passionate, like-minded professionals sharing knowledge, ideas, and experience. This spirit of collaboration is what makes the group so special.”

Crane’s career began in a national recruitment agency, where he spent thirteen years managing head office functions and national accounts. He later transitioned into the charity sector for three years before joining the matchday hospitality team at the then KC Stadium fourteen years ago. His initial role was intended as a temporary assignment, but his dedication quickly led to a permanent position as Deputy General Manager, and ultimately to his current role as Public Catering Manager.

Under Crane’s leadership, the MKM Stadium has embraced innovative catering concepts, including street food offerings and an enhanced social media presence, all while ensuring high-quality food for fans.

Leadership Team and Future Directions

Crane will join a Leadership Team comprised of industry leaders from various venues, including Collette Salmon, the Sales Manager at Liverpool FC, who serves as Chair, and David Timms, Senior Business Development Manager at Chelsea FC, in the role of Vice-Chair. This team is dedicated to driving the strategic direction of the association and enhancing standards within the industry.

Salmon expressed her gratitude to Daine for his contributions, stating, “We are thrilled to welcome Henry to the Leadership Team as the new driver of our stadium public catering initiatives. His work at MKM Stadium has been truly ground-breaking, and we’re excited to see that innovation and expertise shared more broadly across our network.”

As Crane steps into his new position, he is committed to building upon the solid foundation established by his predecessor. He aims to explore new avenues for value addition for members, ensuring that the Public Catering group remains a leader in the industry.

Stadium Experience, founded in 2002, is dedicated to promoting stadiums as premier venues for conferences, meetings, and events. Since expanding to include a public catering arm in 2017, the association has continuously worked to raise industry standards and encourage best practices.

Crane’s appointment marks a significant development for Stadium Experience as it seeks to enhance the overall experience for fans and event attendees in stadiums across the UK.