Decades
of service from popular director of Williams Refrigeration are recognised
Malcolm Harling, sales and marketing director of Williams Refrigeration,
received a standing ovation when he was announced as winner of the Outstanding
Contribution to the Foodservice Equipment Industry Award. The award was presented during FEA’s gala
dinner at the association’s annual industry conference on 21 November 2024.
At the presentation Malcolm was described as dedicated, endlessly
encouraging, a good friend, loving, loyal, utterly professional, a mentor... but
also, “despite all that goody two shoes baloney,” great fun.
Emma Brooks, chair of FEA, said that he was ‘something of a superhero’, adding
“You name a sport, and he’s either done it or had a go!”
Also helping present the award was Tim Smith, CEO of the AFE Group and
managing director of Williams Refrigeration, who said, “I couldn’t do my
job without Malcolm, he’s a rock.”
Malcolm began his career as a chef,
travelling the world before deciding to switch to the equipment side of the
industry. He joined Falcon in 1991 and
moved over to sister company Williams as sales and marketing director in 2000. He has delivered some of the largest
refrigeration contracts in the UK and around the world, including Wembley
Stadium, the Sydney Olympics and Le Cordon Bleu – in both London and Paris.
He’s also been a great supporter of
FEA, joining the council in 2001 and serving as chair from 2008 to 2010. Additional roles included chair of the
exhibition liaison committee and Malcolm was chair of the marketing
committee when FEA rebranded from CESA to FEA – he was very much involved in
the process. Although he stepped down
from the council in 2021, he’s still hard at work for FEA, as chair of the
refrigeration product group forum.
He's a very dedicated family man,
and was delighted to be joined on the evening by his wife Mandy and sons Simon
and Richard.
Asked how he felt about the award,
Malcolm said, “I’m gobsmacked! Absolutely over the
moon! Mandy, Simon and Richard being here made it even more
special. This is a wonderful industry, full of opportunities, and I
feel very lucky to be part of it.”
Tim Smith added, “I’ve known
Malcolm for 25 years and I remain enormously proud to be working alongside him
and now, tonight, to help celebrate his extraordinary skills, dedication, and
contribution.”
The Foodservice
Equipment Association (FEA)is the independent, authoritative voice of the
foodservice equipment industry, representing nearly 200
companies who supply, service and maintain all types of commercial catering
equipment - from utensils to full kitchen schemes. For more
information on FEA visit www.fea.org.uk
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John Cunningham, FEA chief
executive: 020 7793 3030
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