White Oaks, the senior living business of Compass Group UK & Ireland, has appointed dietitian Valentina Giannelli to guide its teams on best nutritional and hydration practices within the sector.
Valentina joins White Oaks after relocating from Sydney, where she has spent the last ten years supporting age care organisations in Australia, delivering high quality nutrition and foodservice. She has held roles ranging from Clinical Dietitian to Food Project Lead and most recently, Acting Director of Nutrition and Hydration for a group of care homes in Sydney.
A graduate in Dietetics, Valentina also holds a Master's in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Sydney and recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Leadership.
In her new role, Valentina will support White Oaks with ongoing development of menus, which meet the specific requirements of residents and tenants, offering quality, choice and flexibility. She will also work closely with chefs, operations, care teams and clients to provide information on best practice, training, updates on regulations and processes - as well as driving innovation across menus.
Commenting on her appointment, Giannelli said: "I'm really excited to be continuing my work in this vital area with the White Oaks team. I'm looking forward to getting involved and supporting nutrition and hydration for older adults in partnership with our clients. This is a great time to be joining the business as it evolves and grows."
Laura Tighe, Business Director, White Oaks, added: "We're thrilled to welcome Valentina to the White Oaks family - expanding and strengthening the team with dedicated knowledge and expertise. She brings fantastic experience, enthusiasm and passion, and we know she'll be a real asset, helping to support our clients and their residents with nutritious menus that nourish and promote vitality, while creating meaningful dining experiences."
Valentina will report into Saachi Avis, who leads the Dietetics team within Compass' Healthcare division and was recently announced as the Chair of the Food Services Specialist Group within the British Dietetic Association.
