top of page

Champ Rugby Secures Multi-Year, Purpose-Led Partnership



Champ Rugby is delighted to announce a multi-year partnership with contract caterer Elior UK, becoming the title sponsor of the Rugby Football Union’s (RFU) Tier 2 competition, in a relationship built on shared values, community impact and a commitment to health and wellbeing.


Under the new agreement, the competition will be known as Elior Champ Rugby. This is a significant new chapter for the league and a major step forward in Elior UK’s investment in sport, culture and social value. The agreement marks the first title sponsorship for the league in over six years and reflects a shift towards purpose-led collaboration, where commercial success and social impact go hand in hand.


At the centre of the partnership is a strong alignment of purpose. Both organisations place people, wellbeing and opportunity at the centre of what they do – from Champ Rugby’s mission to grow competition following and interest, while strengthening clubs, players and communities nationwide, to Elior UK’s focus on nutrition, healthier lifestyles and its lifetime of enrichment social-value programme.


Together, Champ Rugby and Elior UK aim to champion the role of food, health and community in supporting performance on the pitch and positive outcomes off it, helping players, fans and local communities thrive.


Champ Rugby is English rugby’s biggest supporter, connecting grassroots communities with the professional game and providing a ‘Proving Ground’ for future stars. It is the second tier of men’s rugby and is played by both professional and semi-professional players. Featuring 14 teams across the country, the league delivers strong regional reach, local engagement and a powerful platform for community support.


Brian Facer, Head of Champ Rugby, said:

“At Champ Rugby, we exist to grow the game, develop people and strengthen communities. Elior UK shares that same commitment to driving opportunity and long-term impact. This is about fuelling futures - investing in healthier lifestyles, stronger clubs and the next generation of players and fans.”

“This is far more than a sponsorship - it’s a partnership built on shared values,” said Catherine Roe, chief executive officer at Elior UK."


“We’re championing nutrition and healthier lifestyles and supporting local communities and future talent. This collaboration enables us to bring our purpose to life in a meaningful and impactful way.”


Craig Stewart, divisional managing director, stadia at Elior UK added,

“Our experience delivering food and hospitality in the stadia sector makes us a natural partner for Champ Rugby. This partnership allows us to apply that expertise in a way that supports clubs, communities and the future of the game.”

Activation is now rolling out in the final quarter of the season, with the league transitioning to Elior Champ Rugby branding across broadcast, digital and in-stadium environments.


Elior UK already has a strong presence within UK sport, including established partnerships at Scottish Rugby’s Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, and with Glasgow Warriors. The Champ Rugby collaboration builds on this foundation while extending Elior’s impact deeper into regional communities.


Photo: Left to right: Craig Stewart, Managing Director, Stadia and Events, Elior UK / Catherine Roe, CEO, Elior UK / Leni Savva, CFO, Elior UK / Brian Facer, Head of Champ Rugby


About Champ Rugby

Champ Rugby is the professional second tier of rugby union in England. Featuring 14 teams across the country, it is English rugby’s biggest supporter and is the crucial link in the pathway from grassroots to the top of the game. On the field, talent is handed an opportunity at the elite level, off the field, Champ Rugby lives for the growth of the game, connecting people and communities.

For further information view here.


About Elior UK

Elior UK operates high profile catering contracts across the B&I, health & care home, defence, education, stadia and heritage sectors. It provides customers with a bespoke offer that focuses on great food, drink and customer service and couples it with the benefits that a large company brings. Elior UK is part of Elior Group which operates worldwide with annual revenues of €5.8billion.

For further information view here.


About Elior Group

Founded in 1991, the Elior Group is a world leader in catering and multiservice, and a benchmark in the world of business, education, health, social and leisure. Enjoying robust positions in 9 countries, the Group achieved pro forma revenue of €5.8 billion in 2023. Its 133,000 employees feed 3.1 million people every day in 20,200 restaurants on three continents and provide services in 6 countries.


The Group is based on an economic model built around innovation and social responsibility. In 2004, the Elior Group signed up to the United Nations Global Compact, reaching advanced level in 2015.

For more information view here.

Most Read

British Superbike Rider Gears Up For Charity

British Superbike Rider Gears Up For Charity

Edmund Best, a British National Superstock rider for team SymCirrus Motorsport, has declared his support for The Bridge Homelessness to...

RHS Calls For Compensation Due To Financially Devastating Impact Of A3/M25 Roadworks

RHS Calls For Compensation Due To Financially Devastating Impact Of A3/M25 Roadworks

With 350,000 fewer people visiting RHS Garden Wisley annually due to the National Highways A3/M25 roadworks, resulting in £6 million...

What Is The Nation's Favourite Pizza?

What Is The Nation's Favourite Pizza?

Once regarded as an occasional treat or a post-pub indulgence, pizza has risen—like a well-proofed dough—to claim a central spot in...

Categories

  • Jun 9, 2025
  • 2 min read

Leading Scottish hospitality group Buzzworks has officially become the first multi-venue hospitality business in Scotland to achieve B Corporation certification.


Joining a global movement of businesses that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability to balance profit and purpose, Buzzworks earned its certification following an in-depth evaluation by B Lab, the nonprofit organisation behind the B Corp movement.


Buzzworks Managing Director, Kenny Blair, who has been instrumental in leading the business through the rigorous certification process, said:


“Achieving B Corp Certification has been one of the most challenging and rewarding journeys we’ve undertaken as a business. With our scale, it was no small task, but we were absolutely determined to make it happen."

“At Buzzworks, we’ve always believed in doing the right thing for our people, through industry-leading training and development initiatives, for the communities we operate in, by creating jobs and supporting local charities, and for the planet. Becoming a Certified B Corporation is a major step forward in our commitment to all three."

“We are incredibly proud of this achievement. It’s a testament to the collective effort of our team and the values we live by every day at Buzzworks.”


This certification reflects Buzzworks’ long-standing commitment to social responsibility, sustainability, and ethical business practices. The company continues to work closely with a range of charities and community partners, while also taking significant steps to address its environmental impact - including a commitment to reduce waste and energy consumption.


These efforts are underpinned by ongoing ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) tracking to measure Buzzworks’ progress and ensure continued accountability.


The recognition comes on the back of another successful year for the family-owned business, with turnover rising 18% from £29.9m to £34.8m in 2024. This follows a major win at the prestigious Publican Awards — another first for a Scottish operator — and continued investment in growing its portfolio across Scotland.


Buzzworks has ambitious plans to double the size of the business, bringing its award-winning culture and values to even more communities. Its three core values — Care with Flair, Grow Forward Together, and Value Every Voice — have shaped its B Corp journey and will continue to guide the company’s future.


Renowned for its industry-leading employee benefits, training and development, flexible working options, and wellbeing initiatives, Buzzworks remains committed to being a great place to work and grow.


Most Read

British Superbike Rider Gears Up For Charity

British Superbike Rider Gears Up For Charity

Edmund Best, a British National Superstock rider for team SymCirrus Motorsport, has declared his support for The Bridge Homelessness to...

RHS Calls For Compensation Due To Financially Devastating Impact Of A3/M25 Roadworks

RHS Calls For Compensation Due To Financially Devastating Impact Of A3/M25 Roadworks

With 350,000 fewer people visiting RHS Garden Wisley annually due to the National Highways A3/M25 roadworks, resulting in £6 million...

What Is The Nation's Favourite Pizza?

What Is The Nation's Favourite Pizza?

Once regarded as an occasional treat or a post-pub indulgence, pizza has risen—like a well-proofed dough—to claim a central spot in...

Categories

Nottingham Business Drives Success As Investment Pays Off

Nottingham Business Drives Success As Investment Pays Off

Investment in a Nottingham based motor dealership is driving sales, service and recruitment through the roof after a newly launched van centre achieved 60 sales in just six weeks, smashing its annual target.

New Hire Boosts Azets Restructuring And Insolvency Team

New Hire Boosts Azets Restructuring And Insolvency Team

UK top 10 accountancy firm Azets has appointed a new insolvency practitioner on the South Coast as business demand grows.

Lifetime Achievement Award Caps Glory Night For University

Lifetime Achievement Award Caps Glory Night For University

Professor Sir Mike Ferguson, one of Scotland’s pre-eminent scientists, was recognised for his outstanding research career when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award during a night of celebration for the University of Dundee.

Recent Posts

bottom of page