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Eco-friendly event hospitality: behind the scenes with Gather & Gather
From zero-waste policies to low-carbon menus, hear from Charlotte over at our new hospitality partner Gather & Gather, on how our unique London event space is making a difference.
At Senate House, we’re here to bring your vision to life with experiences that not only delight, but do good too.
We have a clear plan to achieve net zero by 2040; from the energy we use to power our iconic central London venue, to our recycling programme and zero-to-landfill policy.
In the kitchen, thanks to our new partnership with sustainable hospitality provider Gather & Gather, sustainability is infused into every plate we serve.
None of our produce comes to us by air freight, and we use under-utilised, highly nutritious ingredients in our kitchens as part of the UN-backed Future 50 Foods initiative.
You might also have tasted Gather & Gather’s planet-friendly dishes and Fairtrade coffee during a visit to BLOOM, our café space for staff and students at Senate House.
With a prestigious three-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association, they’re helping us lead the way for sustainable venues in London.
We sat down with Charlotte Thwaite, the Sustainability Manager at Gather & Gather, to talk about everything from lemon drizzle cake to net zero.
Hear from Charlotte on what sets Gather & Gather apart
What does your role as Sustainability Manager at Gather & Gather involve on a day-to-day basis?
Charlotte: My role is so varied. I manage seven universities across Gather & Gather’s portfolio, so I could be in Gloucester one day and Oxford the next. I love meeting everybody we work with; both the teams at Gather & Gather, and also the students and staff, helping them move towards our net zero goals.
What inspired you to pursue a career in food sustainability, especially in the hospitality industry?
Charlotte: I have always loved food – not just eating it, but also the magic of serving it to other people. And if you love food, you really can't ignore the influence climate change is having on it. But a lot of people don't know that food also has the power to solve the climate crisis as well. And I love going to work every single day to help food do that.
What are some of the key sustainability practices that set Gather & Gather apart?
Charlotte: At Gather & Gather, our sustainability practices are embedded in everything that we do, and we hold a free staff Food Made Good accreditation from the Sustainable Restaurant Association that proves this. But what really sets us apart is our team, especially our chef team, who are so passionate about what they do and really care about embedding sustainability into their menus.
How do you make sure your suppliers are committed to sustainable practices and resources?
We embed our sustainability practices within our supplier contracts, and then we use third-party auditors to ensure these are complied with.
How do you make sure your ingredients are ethically and sustainably sourced?
Charlotte: We have stringent policies and rely on third party external auditors to make sure that our supply chains and ingredients are as ethical and sustainable as possible, but we are always striving for better. We have 100 per cent free range eggs here at the University of London, but in April, for the first time, we hit 100 per cent RSPCA-assured eggs as well - we are always striving to get that little bit further with what we're offering.
Have there been any recent Gather & Gather sustainability projects or events you’re particularly proud of?
Charlotte: Gather & Gather was the catering partner for the Food Waste Hackathon here at the University of London. It was exciting to be a part of an event where so many students and staff were all together, putting their heads down to try and solve a really difficult problem of food waste in our supply chain.
What’s your favourite sustainably sourced dish on the menu right now in Senate House?
Charlotte: My favourite sustainable dish on the menu at the moment is our lemon drizzle cake. It's absolutely delicious but actually holds a secret ingredient which is the number one wasted product in the UK - which is, if you could guess it, potatoes.
Host your event at Senate House
Whether you’re planning an awards ceremony, conference, meeting or dinner, our passionate event support team will work hard to make your next event an unforgettable experience rooted in eco-friendly practices.
To find out more about booking one of our spaces for your next event, get in touch today.
This page was last updated on 26 June 2025
