Join our team
Why work for us?
We believe it’s important for our employees to enjoy their place of work. That’s why we offer good work life balance and a positive and supportive work environment.
In our last employee survey, 95% of staff said they believe their jobs make a difference to the children and customers that we feed. 79% of staff said they would recommend HCL as a good company to work for. We are continuously working with our people to improve their experience of working with us.
Employees
1,622
Average length of service
7 years
Promotions per year
132
Training courses completed in 2025
25,943
Join. Learn. Progress.
Clear pathways, real development, and support at every stage.
We are committed to providing all employees with every opportunity to pursue their own personal development and future career within HCL. Whatever your career goals look like, we're here to help make them happen!
We are proud to be a truly inclusive employer and we encourage applications from anyone who thinks they'd be the right fit for one of our roles! We've also been awarded the 'Age Inclusive Employer' Badge for 2026 from Rest Less - the UK's fastest growing digital community for the over 50's!
“HCL is a fantastic company to work for and I can honestly say I love coming to work; it’s a very rewarding job! I started as a Mobile General Catering Assistant and progressed to Assistant Cook, then Kitchen Manager, and now my current role is Training Kitchen Manager. You are always fully supported in whatever role you take.”
Carly, HCL Training Kitchen Manager
“I started at HCL with no catering experience. I started as a Mobile General Assistant, then progressed to: Assistant cook, Cook Manager and then Mobile Chef. I'm now the new Mobilisation and Skills chef. Just go for it. If you work hard and do your bit, opportunities will come."
Kelly, HCL Mobilisation and Skills Chef
I'm doing an apprenticeship with HCL. For me this apprenticeship is all about self-growth. It’s challenged me to look at the business through a different lens and helped me understand my strengths. I’ve also valued building a strong network with other HCL apprentices. It’s more than just a qualification; it’s been a real journey of
self-discovery.
Joanne, HCL Apprentice
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Our people are our heart, everything we do begins with them.
We believe in building strong relationships and providing an environment that values equality and diversity for everybody here at HCL.
Our employees are encouraged to progress their careers and we offer relevant training to all employees wishing to learn and develop skills for career success.
