EICC Nourish, part of Levy UK + Ireland, the sports and hospitality sector of Compass Group UK and Ireland, has appointed Craig Bonner as Head of Operations at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).
With 20 years of hospitality management experience, Craig brings specific expertise to the new role. He joins EICC Nourish from Heritage Portfolio where he has worked since 2012, most recently as Regional Operations Manager, following 11 years as General Manager of Musselburgh Racecourse.
Prior to joining Heritage Portfolio, Craig managed hotels, bars and restaurants as well as working with some of Scotland’s leading breweries. These include the Scotsman Group, Tennant’s Caledonia Brewery, Gretna Green Group and McKever Hotels.
A strong advocate of the Scottish and British hospitality industry, Craig is 2025 Chairman of The Champagne Academy, an organisation which educates people in the drinks industry about the history, ethos and importance of Champagne in the UK and Ireland. In 2016, Craig was awarded a prestigious Acorn Award, The Caterer’s 30 under 30.
EICC Nourish manages all catering operations at the EICC, for events including conferences, corporate meetings, exhibitions, and live entertainment. This appointment further bolsters the strong senior management team, led by General Manager, Claire McHardy; Head of Catering Planners, Katy Allen; Executive Chef, Adrian Knibbs; and Location Accountant, Michelle Okoro.
Situated in central Edinburgh, the EICC has established itself as a premier global destination for conferences and events, with capacities of up to 5,760.
Commenting on his appointment, Craig said: “This is a really exciting move for me and I’m proud to be working at one of the world’s premier destinations for conferences and events. As someone who genuinely has a passion for the hospitality industry and loves working in events, this is the perfect role. We’ve got a fantastic team, bringing expertise from some of the best venues across Scotland, and I’m looking forward to working with them to deliver exceptional event experiences for all.”
Claire McHardy, General Manager at EICC Nourish added: “Craig is well-known in the Edinburgh hospitality industry, and his experience is second to none. We’re all thrilled to have him joining the team. I know he’s going to be a perfect fit and is already playing a crucial role in maintaining and elevating the offering we have here at the EICC. This is a very exciting time for us, as the EICC celebrates its 30th anniversary, and as we make plans to further enhance the visitor experience.”
Through the brand EICC Nourish (formerly Leith’s), Compass has been catering partner at EICC since it opened in 1995 and is supported by Compass Scotland, which launched in 2020 with a regional focus on suppliers, clients, communities and people. Working collaboratively, they continue to enhance the food offering.
