International leading catering management and training provider, MCTC has underlined its commitment to the important Greek and northern European markets by strengthening its teams in those regions with the appointment of two new Business Development Directors.

Vasiliki Stamati (Vicky) will head up the business in the Greek market while Sven Schröder, based at MCTC Germany office in Hamburg, will spearhead operations across Germany, Benelux and the Scandinavian markets.

Sven brings over 20 years’ experience in shipping, towage and offshore energy. He said: “MCTC is playing an important role in helping to change the shipping industry’s mindset towards nutrition and healthy eating onboard ship. The company’s commitment to wanting to improve catering for the benefit of seafarers’ health inspired me. It made me want to join Christian Ioannou and his MCTC team because I am absolutely convinced there are a lot of shipping companies who could benefit from their catering, training and consultancy services. I’m very excited to be leading the business from MCTC’s office in Germany.”

Vicky Stamati was previously Business Development Manager at Prevention at Sea and brings with her a wealth of customer-facing experience to the new role.

She said: “Now more than ever, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the maritime industry understands the vital role seafarers play in our lives. Vessels would be nothing without their crew and it is our duty to care for them. If we want them to live and work safely and effectively, then it is paramount we fuel them with wholesome nutritious food to support them both physically and mentally.

Welcoming news of the appointments, Christian Ioannou, Managing Director at MCTC, said: “Vicky and Sven bring a wealth of expertise to the table. I am delighted to welcome them to the team as the company expands.

“While COVID has brought the industry some challenging times, it has also shone a light on the importance of leading a healthy wholesome lifestyle, something MCTC strongly believes in because health can’t be bought. We need to fuel our bodies with the right nutrients for it to function to its optimum level both physically and mentally. I am pleased to have both Vicky Stamati and Sven Schröder onboard to strengthen and promote our message to the industry.”

MCTC offers a full Catering Management Programme covering the vessel’s entire catering management needs such as ordering supplies, recipe planning, menu management, health and nutrition – all of which reduce vessel running costs. It also provides a Catering Competency Development Programme designed to increase standards in the galley through a safe food handling and nutrition course; onshore upgrading culinary course; trade tests, briefings, on board visits and also crew conferences.