Ashridge Business School is the first organisation in the UK to be accredited by Food for the Brain (FFB), the educational foundation that promotes awareness of the link between learning, behaviour, mental health and nutrition.

For the accreditation, Ashridge’s catering was assessed and audited on over 130 nutritional criteria. The audit confirmed that Ashridge has reduced the glycemic load (sugar rush) in its food, provided plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, reduced the amount of red meat, minimised the use of all hydrogenated fats in cooking and uses locally sourced produce.

Graham Rusling, Food Production Manager, Ashridge said: “Being an innovative leader in the field of individual development, Ashridge recognises that health and fitness are crucial for anyone wanting to make the best of their abilities. Eating the right type of foods can improve IQ, increase concentration and memory, sustain energy levels, create better coordination and even improve moods.”

As part of the accreditation, Ashridge has embarked on training for staff on the importance of nutrition and food provenance. Food for the Brain information is also being used with Ashridge’s clients and customers of its executive education programmes.

Patrick Holford, Chief Executive of Food for the Brain commented: “The connection between the food we eat and our mental and physical well being is well established.  Ashridge has made great steps in providing a balanced range of food for its customers and staff and I am delighted to announce it as the first organisation in the country to be accredited.” 

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Media enquiries:

Toby Roe, PR Manager, Ashridge Business School

Tel: +44 (0) 1442 841289 / Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Louise Conway, PR Executive, Ashridge Business School

Tel: +44 (0) 1442 841429 / Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Photographs of Ashridge, Graham Rusling and Patrick Holford can be downloaded from http://www.ashridge.org.uk/images 

Notes to editors:

1. Ashridge (http://www.ashridge.org.uk) regularly triumphs in catering competitions and awards. In 2006, it was voted Best UK Management Training Centre in the Meetings and Incentive Travel Industry Awards for Excellence of service and product and was runner up in the Best Academic Venue category.

2. Ashridge, one of the world’s leading business schools, is an independent, not for profit organisation. Its combination of research, experience and practical application is currently making a difference to individuals and organisations in private and public sectors. Its activities include open & tailored executive education programmes, MBA, MSc & Diploma qualifications, organisation consulting, applied research and online learning. In the latest Financial Times rankings for tailored executive education (May 2007), Ashridge is ranked number one in the UK.

3. Ashridge is one of a select number of business schools to be accredited by all three main business education bodies:

• The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

• The European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS)

• The Association of MBAs (AMBA)

4. Food for the Brain (http://www.foodforthebrain.org) a non-profit, educational charity which promotes awareness of the link between learning, behaviour, mental health and nutrition. The foundation was established by a group of nutritionists, doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, teachers and scientists to educate and provide educational material to children, parents, teachers, schools, universities, the public, health professionals, caterers and the government.