Stadium Experience Welcomes Henry Crane as Public Catering Chair

Stadium Experience has appointed Henry Crane as the new Chair of Public Catering for the not-for-profit association. Crane, who previously served as the Public Catering Manager at MKM Stadium—home to Hull City and Hull FC—brings over a decade of experience within the organization. His appointment marks a significant step in the association’s commitment to enhancing catering services at stadium venues across the UK.

This past summer, Crane and his team achieved a notable milestone by winning their second Best Retail Catering Award in just three years at the independently judged Stadium Events & Hospitality Awards. Founded in 2002, Stadium Experience aims to promote stadiums as premier venues for conferences, meetings, and events, while encouraging best practices and raising industry standards.

Leadership Role and Industry Impact

In his new position, Crane will join the Stadium Experience Leadership Team, representing public catering professionals from various stadium venues across the UK. This voluntary team is responsible for driving the strategic direction of the association and includes several industry leaders, such as Collette Salmon, Sales Manager at Liverpool FC (Chair); David Timms, Senior Business Development Manager at Chelsea FC (Vice-Chair); and Sue France, Treasurer of Stadium Experience.

Crane’s career began with thirteen years at a national recruitment agency, where he managed head office functions and led national accounts. He later transitioned into the charity sector, undertaking fundraising roles for various organizations. Fourteen years ago, he joined the matchday hospitality team at the then KC Stadium, initially as a temporary measure, but quickly proved his aptitude for the role. He advanced to Deputy General Manager before becoming the Public Catering Manager, where he has focused on innovative catering solutions.

His leadership has been characterized by a commitment to challenging the status quo in stadium catering, introducing street food concepts and fostering a strong social media presence. Under his guidance, the MKM Stadium has consistently delivered high-quality food, earning industry recognition along the way.

Acknowledging Past Leadership

As Crane takes over the Chair of Public Catering role from Nav Daine, who led this division for the past seven years, he reflects on the impact of Daine’s leadership. “I’d like to thank Nav Daine for his outstanding leadership of the Public Catering group within Stadium Experience,” Crane stated. “His dedication, passion, and support have made a lasting impact on me and many others.”

Crane emphasized the importance of collaboration within the group, stating, “The Public Catering group has become an invaluable resource—a collective of passionate, like-minded professionals sharing knowledge, ideas, and experience.” He expressed his commitment to building on the strong foundations laid by Daine, aiming to explore new ways to add value for members.

Collette Salmon, the overall Chair of Stadium Experience, also expressed gratitude for Daine’s contributions and welcomed Crane to the Leadership Team. “His work at MKM Stadium has been truly groundbreaking,” she said. “We’re excited to see that innovation and expertise shared more broadly across our network.”

As Crane steps into this pivotal role, the Stadium Experience community looks forward to the continued development of public catering initiatives, enhancing the overall experience for fans and event attendees alike.