Reflecting on the TUCO Conference 2025: Staffing Solutions for Universities
- Ashleigh Coleman
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
As a proud TUCO-approved staffing supplier, we were delighted to once again return to the TUCO Conference for their summer 2025 celebrations. This event brings together thought leaders, innovators, and service providers in the higher education and hospitality sectors.
Representing Arc at the conference was our Business Development Manager, Luke Saunders and our Senior Marketing & Communications Manager, Ashleigh Coleman, who showcased our services and roles to decision makers from universities across the UK, highlighting the vital role that experienced staffing providers play in supporting the education sector's evolving needs.
A Platform for Connection and Collaboration
Exhibiting at the TUCO Conference allowed us to connect face-to-face with procurement professionals, head chefs, catering managers, and operational leads from universities and colleges. These conversations confirmed what we already knew: demand for high-quality, reliable staff in education settings has never been greater.
With fluctuating student numbers, seasonal peaks, and events that require rapid scale-up, education institutions need staffing partners who understand the rhythm and standards of the sector. That’s where we come in!
Understanding the Sector, Delivering with Precision
Our team specialises in providing experienced, vetted hospitality and catering staff specifically for schools, colleges, and universities. Whether it’s temporary cover for a catering assistant, full-time placement of a head chef, or large-scale event staffing for graduation week, we tailor our service to fit the individual culture and requirements of each institution.
We understand the gravity of entrusting a provider to deliver staffing solutions to the education sector which is why we have robust training, onboarding, and compliance checks in place.
What Sets Us Apart in Supporting the Education Sector
Commitment to Compliance
We deliver the highest standards of compliance in our industry, which is why we are entrusted to provide staffing solutions to many schools, colleges, and universities across the UK.
As part of our watertight compliance process, we complete our right-to-work checks with TrustID, a UK government-approved identity service provider (IDSP). Through their digital platform, within minutes, they can:
Quickly and securely assess and confirm the authenticity of identity documents
Check against a national fraud database to verify the identity is not known to be stolen or false
Provide a full status report, including any work restrictions
To further enhance our compliance, our Head of Payroll and Compliance, Ginny Verdon, a member of The Chartered Institute of Payroll Professionals (CIPP) authorises all new hires in line with the rigid processes established by our ISO 9001 management system.
These checks take place not only considering all legalities but also taking into account an in-depth knowledge and understanding of all our client SLAs, therefore ensuring contractual compliance.
We take pride in our commitment to excellence and going above and beyond to meet all the regulatory and safeguarding requirements, including DBS-checked staff.
Sustainability and Social Value
Similarly to many universities, sustainability is at the heart of what we do. At the TUCO Conference, we were delighted to discover that many of the universities that we spoke to champion recruiting local staff, including many of their own students.
We’re proud to invest in local talent and support career development through training and progression opportunities for our staff. Not only does this help to support the local economy, but it also reduces the carbon footprint of those who are commuting to and from their workplace.
Looking Ahead
The TUCO Conference has once again highlighted the strength and resilience of the education catering community. It was inspiring to see so many institutions investing in innovation, quality, and service delivery. As we return from the conference, we are more energized than ever to continue supporting TUCO members with staffing solutions that are flexible, dependable, and future-focused.
Whether you attended the conference or not, we’d love to continue the conversation. If your institution is facing staffing challenges or simply wants a more proactive partner, we’re here to help. Get in touch with our commercial team to discuss.
