Meet Neon Whittaker, who represents Alliance, one of the UK and Ireland’s leading suppliers of non-food catering equipment. In her role, Neon works closely with customers to ensure they choose the right products at the right price. Discover what makes this business unique in the hospitality marketplace, as Neon shares insights into their customer-focused approach and commitment to quality. Alliance stands out for its extensive range of products and exceptional service, making it a trusted partner in the industry.
Tell us about your role at Alliance?
My role at Alliance is about exploring the needs of what the customer has on a daily basis and trying to save them money on solutions whilst trying to cover all bases.
I could be described as my customers’ one-stop-shop from back of house to front of house and everything in between, the list is endless but I’m always there to help.
What products and services do Alliance provide?
At Alliance we carry a portfolio of over 25,000 products that includes but is not limited to; Tableware, Restaurant Supplies, Pub & Bar Equipment, Chef Supplies, Janitorial, Catering Disposables, Paper Hygiene & Chemicals. As a business we are unique within our industry due to our internal delivery fleet allowing us to control the order from placement right through to delivery on site meaning you only ever deal with us.
Which sectors do you specialise in?
We specialise in servicing the hospitality and public sector including schools, universities and NHS.
Which new products in the marketplace are a hit with your customers?
We work with industry leading suppliers, to enable us to lead the way with new products in all product categories including some incredible new ranges from Innuscience Biotechnology, Churchill’s 2024 Summer Range and so many more!
Tell us about the team at Alliance
Based in Dartford, the Alliance Southeast depot is made up of a small but tight-knit team who work well together. We all support one another and have a great understanding of each other’s strengths which allows us to ensure we always provide the best service we can to our customers. We are always actively learning about both the industries we service and the products and suppliers we work with so we can be confident in the advice and suggestions we make.
Outside of work we as a team love going out for drinks and socialising to make sure we are more than just a team of colleagues.
Which businesses in Brighton do you work with and why do they value the work you do?
We’ve had a long and fantastic working relationship with The Grand and the Pier along with groups like Black Rock and Fatto O Manno where we work alongside them very closely on new and exciting projects but we also have some amazing single site customers where we take away the responsibilities of ordering and managing non food requirements as much as possible so they can concentrate on attracting people to their establishments. We’re all about relationships and people which works so well in Brighton as it’s a city built on community and trust.
How often do you deliver to Brighton and why do your delivery slots work for your customers?
We deliver to Brighton on our own vehicles Monday – Friday and we have a Saturday delivery service from April to October to help support the summer season.
We offer a next day delivery service with no minimum order.
Tell us a little bit about your career journey?
I would say my career journey has predominantly been a case of working in sales within the hospitality sector.
When you meet prospective new businesses for the first time, what do you talk about?
Typically the first meeting is normally a fact finding exercise on how we can help their business. Our main aim is to see how we can save them money and in turn offer both them and us an opportunity to look at costs whilst growing an effective relationship.
When you go out in Brighton, where are your favourite places for breakfast, lunch and dinner?
Now that is a question!
So if we are talking breakfast, IVY Brighton would be my go to. For lunch I love either Lost in the Lanes or Redroaster at the Brighton Dome and for the evening I recently enjoyed a meal at Bincho Yakitori.
Nathalie at LOST in The Lanes
Where would you like to go and eat next?
I would say either Furna or maybe I would go back to Gingerman.
Within Alliance, how do you support sustainability?
At Alliance we appreciate that as a national distributor with an in-house fleet we have a responsibility to ensure we investigate and initiate any sustainable operations we can. Systems we employ to help us achieve our sustainable goals include: Centralised waste disposal and card compaction, installation of six solar systems across our business network, an active reduction in paper usage, fleet technology including engine management and computerised routing, electric vehicles in use across the business, responsible supply chain management and as a company we are ISO 14001 accredited too.
You are making a meal, or getting a meal for yourself, what’s your favourite or go to meal?
I would have to go with Katsu curry breaded chicken, rice with loads of coriander and of course, chilli.
What is next for Alliance?
At Alliance we always have one eye looking forward to our future and since becoming an Employee Ownership Trust in 2021 our main aim is ensuring that we as a business maintain the values and culture we have always had during our business life.
Naturally, we are always looking at growing as a business but we also have a huge onus at present on growing internally as a business too.
Why do you enjoy the BRAVO Awards?
It’s great to see all the restaurants together and being able to see everyone relax and have fun and recognise what a great industry there is in Brighton and Hove.
