CADIA, the Gatwick Diamond Business Association,

updated 19th June 2008

Appoints Local Entrepeneur Keith Pordum as NEW CHAIRMAN

Keith Pordum, the CEO of Crawley based business Bon Appetit, has been appointed as chairman of CADIA, the premier business networking group within the Gatwick Diamond.

CADIA, with over 500 business members, has the mission of promoting business growth in the key economic region of the Gatwick Diamond (defined as the area bounded by Reigate to Brighton, and Horsham to East Grinstead) by providing its members with opportunities to:

  - Network & grow their business contacts

  - Lobby and influence local decision makers

  - Grow their skills

Great progress was made in all these areas during the previous 12 months under outgoing Chairman, Tony Thorn, who has now taken up a position as Head of Corporate Fundraising with the Rowan Hospice in Portsmouth, and the skilful direction of Chief Executive, Jeremy Taylor.

Jeremy Taylor, Chief Executive of Cadia said, “I am delighted to welcome Keith as our chairman. His passion for business is evident to all who work with him, and his experience and support will be invaluable in helping me take Cadia to the next level”.

Membership continues to grow at a substantial rate, and was enhanced during the year with the merger with the Manor Royal Business Park, who brought with them companies of the standing of Vent Axia, Veritas and Virgin. Attendance at the monthly members networking meeting has increased by over 100% and an average attendance of 120 is now being seen. Lobbying bore fruit with a successful campaign to retain the Gatwick Express.

Keith Pordum said, “It is a privilege to be elected chairman of Cadia in succession to Tony Thorn, who did a superb job in his two years of office supporting and advising Jeremy. My role is to maintain the excellent progress of Cadia and to ensure it represents its members’ interests within the Gatwick Diamond”.

After a successful career in banking and management consultancy Keith set up his Bon Appetit business in Crawley back in 1995. Bon Appetit (www.hotfoodvending.com) is now the leading provider within the UK of hot food vending to the corporate workplace market, and clients include Virgin Holidays, Varian Medical Systems, Southern Water, Merrill Lynch, Honda and Drax Power Station. The low cost, high quality hot food vending service provides staff with hot, tasty food 24/7. It is ideal for businesses that either do not currently offer their staff an on-site hot food option, want to reduce their catering costs or need a low cost ‘out of hours’ or 24/7 service.

© Bon Appetit 2010