RM&C Consultants Ltd – Education Catering, Cleaning & FM Consultants

Our team

A family business. Expertise you can trust.

Founded in 2001, RM&C is an established, family-led consultancy that works in the education sector. Our team has a wealth of experience, with over 60 years experience between us, so we know a thing or two about catering and cleaning. Now we sit on your side of the table, combining our experience to give you the best possible advice.

Expertise.

Decades of combined experience in contract catering, cleaning and FM.

Passion.

We care about the food and environments your pupils and staff experience every day.

Independence.

Owned by our partners, so our advice is always impartial and honest.

David Allen with Finley

Managing Director

David Allen

David joined RM&C in 2016 and now leads the business as Managing Director. He began in hotels with Stakis (now part of Hilton), then built a career in contract catering and FM with ARAMARK, Compass Group and G4S, where, as a Board Director, he grew a £30 million catering business.

He holds a distinction in Hospitality Management and a Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Management from Henley Business School.

Outside work: a BASC-qualified clay shooting coach LinkedIn →
Sue Allen

Director

Sue Allen

Sue lives and breathes contract catering. After an HND in hotel catering and institutional management at Oxford Polytechnic, she spent over four decades in operational and sales roles, including 19 years as a Business Development Director on the contractor's side.

She joined RM&C in 2019, so she knows exactly what schools need, and every client gets her personal attention.

Outside work: has competed nationally in horse showing LinkedIn →
Tim Allen

Director

Tim Allen

Tim joined RM&C in 2024 after spending nearly four years working in VIP retention sales for Audi, where he finished amongst the top 10 highest performing executives across the whole franchise in 2023. He has a first-class honours degree in Business Management from Oxford Brookes University, worked in the kitchen at Raymond Blanc's two-Michelin-star Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons, and won awards for starting his own business whilst at university.

He brings energy and a modern approach to every project, as well as fresh ideas to help RM&C grow. Tim became a shareholder and partner in RM&C Consultants in September 2026, so is here to stay.

Outside work: 8x marathon finisher and Ironman Triathlete - Tim loves to run LinkedIn →
Oliver Parker

Director & co-founder

Oliver Parker

Oliver co-founded RM&C with Mike Pooleman in 2001 and still helps guide the direction of the business. Trained at Ealing Hotel Academy, he ran the catering at HMS Belfast and government and royal residences, including 10 Downing Street, before managing staff catering at Gatwick Airport.

He went on to become UK operations director for a major contract caterer, and has since advised academies, local authorities and universities on catering and cleaning.

Outside work: Oliver now enjoys far-flung adventures with nothing planned but his flights
Amy Allen

Assistant Procurement Consultant

Amy Allen

Amy is here to keep everyone on track for our clients. She is constantly checking in with our existing clients and supporting on live tenders. She also leads on catering and cleaning contract monitoring, with a keen eye for detail.

She studied Business Development, spent five years in sales and customer service at Simplehuman, and has worked front of house and in the kitchen at a high-end restaurant on the River Thames.

Outside work: has travelled eight countries, from Australia to the Philippines since the start of 2025 LinkedIn →
John Ashton

Associate Consultant

John Ashton

John is our facilities management expert, with over 30 years as a facilities professional in sectors from chemical and nuclear to high-end residential, and more than 17 years in consultancy across education, construction and commercial.

He tenders hard and soft FM packages, audits FM and cleaning contracts, and delivers mechanical and electrical projects and has recently qualified as a Fire Risk Assessor.

Outside work: John is a qualified RYA Powerboat and Safety Boat instructor
Finley, the RM&C office dog

Client support

Our office team & Finley

Small but mighty, our office team are the backbone of RM&C. They've been with us for years, know most of our clients by name, and are the reason we can offer such a personal service.

Finley, a lively spaniel, keeps the team company and guards the office against squirrels and the postman.

In memory of Mike Pooleman

RM&C was founded in 2001 by Mike Pooleman and Oliver Parker. Whilst we have grown over the years, we hold the independent, honest approach that Mike started at the heart of everything we do.

Talk to the people who will do the work.

When you work with RM&C, you work directly with our directors and consultants, from first conversation to the end of your contract.

Get in touch