The Board
Gillian White
VP Global Coffee & Site Lead, CPI Chippenham
Gillian has more than 25 years of experience in the global unattended retailing and coffee industry. Throughout her career, she has been actively involved with both the AVA and EVA as a Board member for several years and, since May 2018, serving as Chair of the AVA.
Natalie Baker
Finance Director, Westways Vending
Natalie has been working within the family company for 20 years gaining a wealth of knowledge of the vending industry. She became a Fellow Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) in 2018. As Finance Director her current role encompasses Business Development and Management, with the future of the family business safely in her hands.
Stuart Coutts
Executive Chairman, Connect Vending
Stuart is originally from the East Midlands (Nottingham) and moved to London and started his vending career 35 years ago with Banbury Drinks in August 1987. With short stints running Clipper Coffee and in the fledgling Express Vending in the early 90s he started Connect Vending. His businesses have navigated through power cuts, miners strikes, the cold war the Falklands war, yuppies and the Filofax, Black Wednesday, Black Monday and interest rates at 15%. More recently the crash of Lehman Brothers and the Man on the Moon. Finally, Coronavirus and Lockdowns. Most of this was the backdrop to safely steering Connect Vending to where it is today.
Diane Hunter
Director, Apple Vending
Diane has been part of the Vending & Catering industry for over 25 years, where she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in this dynamic business sector. The highlight of her career has been starting her own business ‘Apple Vending’ X years ago, which has continually been going from strength to strength with new acquisitions and growth around the country. With 10+ years of involvement with the AVA, Diane understands how much the Association can achieve for Operators. Her aim is to push this even further with new, fresh & innovative ideas, as well as being involved in upcoming legislation changes and helping raise standards of vending through the AVA.
Craig Jukes
Sales Director, EVOCA UK Ltd
Craig has been with EVOCA, one of the largest manufacturers of coffee and vending machines for 15 years. In his role as Sales Director he also has direct responsibility for the technical and customer service functions. From a manufacturers perspective Craig is a firm supporter of the AVA and all that it offers to all members especially related to quality and legislative issues. He is always keen to explore how innovation can be developed to further support both members and our customers to have an all round better experience.
Graham Kingaby
Managing Director, NIVO Ltd.
Graham has worked in and around the UK operated vending industry for 45 years. He has served in various senior management roles for operators and supplier/manufacturers. He has acquired an intimate knowledge of operator needs which has enabled him to also support the aims and objectives of the AVA. Graham has served on the board of the AVA and various committee’s for over 15 years including as Vice Chair and Acting Chair.
Jane MacDonald
Managing Director, Excel Vending Ltd.
Jane has been involved with vending for almost 30 years. She founded Excel Vending in March 1993 and has built the business into one of the largest independent vending solutions provider in Scotland. She is a dedicated member of AVA and is passionate about encouraging members to work together to share their knowledge and expertise to help establish and maintain high standards, professionalism and integrity in the vending industry.
Adrian Pratt
Environment, Legislation & Marketing Manager, Benders Paper Cups
Adrian has been in the vending market as a manufacturing supplier of ingredients, snacks and confectionery, and packaging consumables for thirty years. He has been member of the AVA Environment Committee for ten years, and represented AVA in other aligned industry bodies, to support and promote best environmental practice, and now to ensure that the huge amount legislative intervention currently being introduced from a European perspective, as well the UK and the Home Nations Governments acknowledges the essential role of vending.
Kelly Pugh
Managing Director, City Vending Services Ltd
Kelly, has been in the Vending industry for some 22 years, and is MD of City Vending Services in Birmingham, where she and her husband have built a vending company built on service, reputation and quality of vending machines, services & supplies. Kelly is passionate about the benefits of being an AVA member from an operator’s perspective and wants to help highlight this within the industry. Along with supporting other operators with the many legislation changes as they occur.
Wayne Wanklyn
Sales Controller – Vending, Aimia Foods
Wayne has vast experience in all aspects of the Vending industry. Previously with Nestle Professional where his last role was head of sales for the Vending & Systems business. Wayne joined AIMIA Foods in March 2014 as the Category manager for Coffee, he currently heads up the Vending business for AIMIA Foods.