Mel Marriott, founder and former chief executive of Darwin & Wallace, has joined Prestige Purchasing as Commercial Director.
She brings extensive experience from a long career in hospitality, having held roles with Mitchells & Butlers and All Bar One before establishing Darwin & Wallace, which was acquired by Portobello Pub Company in 2024.
Marriott said: “I am delighted to be joining Shaun Allen and the team at Prestige Purchasing as commercial director having been a long-term user of, and passionate advocate for the exemplary procurement services they provide.
“Their depth of knowledge is unparalleled, and they deliver exceptional results for many truly great operators with integrity. Sadly, the ongoing cost pressures that our sector continues to face means the maximisation of supply chain utility and efficiency is a commercial imperative and thankfully one where, with the assistance of a specialist, significant reward can be delivered to the bottom line.”
Prestige Purchasing describes itself as one of the UK’s leading specialists in procurement and supply chain management, serving the hospitality, catering, leisure, retail, and private healthcare sectors.
Shaun Allen, chief executive at Prestige Purchasing, commented “I have known Mel for a number of years and feel very fortunate and excited that she has joined our team. Mel’s experience as an operator along with her deep knowledge of our sector will not only help us drive our commercial strategy forward but her vast experience as a leader will bring huge value to our board, our business and to our customers.”