Restaurants Canada has named a new president and CEO, Christian Buhagiar. Roy Little made the announcement on July 25.
“I recognize that this is a critical time for the foodservice industry,” Christian Buhagiar said in a statement. Not only have restaurants and their suppliers been the first and hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis, but they are also now facing severe labor shortages, skyrocketing inflation, and many other obstacles on the road to recovery.
He has worked for over 25 years in the for-profit, not-for-profit, academic and government sectors. He has held the position of vice-president of education at the Institute of Corporate Directors, the Canadian Association of Directors, and Boards of Directors. As well as this he was also President and CEO of a not-for-profit association for Supply Chai Canada, which is the voice of supply chain professionals in Canada.
During his five years there, he rebranded the association, rebranded it and evolved it into Canada’s leading community of supply chain professionals and a powerful advocacy organization. “I believe that our team and our members will greatly benefit from his expertise in the field of government relations and non-profit associations,” said Mike Yasinski, chair of the board of directors of Restaurants Canada, in a press release.
Mr. Buhagiar’s experience growing organizations and their reputations, launching initiatives and building relationships is exactly what Restaurants Canada needs to drive the industry and weather the pandemic. » Transition period Roy Little had joined the organization in 2019 and had been in charge since last February. Until his official departure on September 30, he will work alongside Christian Buhagiar who will prepare for his new duties.
“Roy Little is a helpful leader who took on the role of interim president and CEO at a time when the industry needed him most,” said Mike Yasinski, chair of Restaurants Canada’s board of directors, in a press release. . The close ties he maintains with his team and his board of directors, as well as the importance he places on the well-being of his employees, are admirable. » Restaurants Canada represents more than 30,000 restaurateurs, food service chains and suppliers across Canada.