Gemma Harvey-Oconnell

Background

About Gemma Harvey-Oconnell

An early career in advertising sales led to media recruitment, initially in a consultancy and then in-house for digital agencies. These roles provided a great foundation in sales and account management. Recruitment was super for a results-driven, process oriented person. In 2012, I left London and founded the Cherry Catering Company to combine my love of cooking with a focus on quality ingredients. Five years later, I expanded the business by opening the Cherry Cookery Kitchen, a cookery school designed to inspire confidence and creativity in the kitchen. In 2018, I joined The Feed in Norwich as Catering Enterprise Manager, with a remit to grow the café and catering services. Activity in both areas more than doubled within the first year. I became Operations Manager in 2020, overseeing the Prince of Wales Road site and supporting the organisation’s wider expansion. By 2021, The Feed had grown from one to four sites, with further growth continuing into 2022. Serving as Chief Operating Officer, overseeing six sites, including 3 contract cafés, our own café in Waterloo Park, a catering business, and the Social Supermarket—an innovative project supporting the local community with access to affordable food and essential services. In 2024 I became CEO, continuing our mission to support individuals and empower communities in Norwich. We are committed to helping people eat well, live well, and feel connected.