Barbican and Searcys celebrate 35 years of catering partnership with contract renewal
The Barbican is continuing its longstanding partnership with Searcys, marking an impressive 35 years of collaboration. This milestone highlights the strength of a relationship built on shared values, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to delivering outstanding culinary experiences across one of the leading arts and conference venue.
Since 1989, Searcys has been the trusted catering partner at the Barbican, playing an integral role in delivering exceptional event, dining and hospitality services across the venue’s world-class arts and conference spaces. Together, the Barbican and Searcys have continually evolved, setting benchmarks for event catering and delegate experiences, all while maintaining a deep-rooted understanding of the venue’s unique atmosphere and requirements.
“We are thrilled to celebrate 35 years of working with Searcys,” said Jackie Boughton, Director of Commercial at the Barbican. “Their expertise, innovation, and dedication to excellence have played a fundamental role in shaping the delegate experience at the Barbican. Our strong partnership has ensured that whether hosting an international conference, awards dinner, graduation, high-profile press night, or intimate private event, our guests receive impeccable service and exceptional cuisine. We look forward to continuing this journey together.”
Over the past year alone, Searcys has catered for 619 events, welcoming 150,000 guests to the Barbican. Their team has seamlessly delivered some of the venue’s most prestigious occasions, including:
- Press Night for Kiss Me, Kate – A large-scale VIP event, hosting 800 press and celebrity guests across multiple receptions, culminating in a spectacular after-party.
- Largest One-Day Conference – Catering for 1,800 delegates across the entire venue, transitioning spaces from an afternoon coffee break service to an evening networking event in just 45 minutes.
Beyond delivering outstanding hospitality, Searcys and the Barbican remain committed to sustainability and industry best practices. As a proud member of isla, Searcys continues to implement environmentally conscious practices that help shape a more responsible events industry. Their Second Nature ESG strategy focuses on four key pillars:
- Inclusion by Design – Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace.
- Nurturing and Growing Talent – Investing in team development and career progression.
- Progressive Partnerships – Elevating sourcing and sustainability standards.
- Step-Up – Committing to achieving net-zero across the group by 2040.
Brian Martin, General Manager of Searcys at the Barbican, added: “Our partnership with the Barbican is incredibly special to us. Over the past 35 years, we’ve developed an unrivalled understanding of the venue and its unique demands, allowing us to deliver truly unforgettable experiences. We are committed to continuing to innovate, elevate our sustainable practices, and provide outstanding hospitality for every guest who walks through the Barbican’s doors.”
As the Barbican continues to serve as a leading destination for arts, culture, and business events, its partnership with Searcys remains a cornerstone of its success. With a shared vision for innovation and excellence, both teams are excited to embrace the future, bringing world-class catering and hospitality to even more unforgettable events.
For more information on hosting an event at the Barbican, contact the Barbican Business Events Team at +44 (0)20 7382 7043 or email businessevents@barbican.org.uk.
About Barbican Business Events
The Barbican is one of the world’s leading conference and international arts venues. Located in the City of London, it is capable of holding meetings from 10-2,000 delegates in its fully equipped concert hall, theatres, conference suites and boardrooms. Barbican Business Events brings together the venue’s expertise in the arts and corporate meetings.
Built as part of London’s Barbican development and officially opened in March 1982 by HM Queen Elizabeth, unlike many other venues, Barbican was specifically built with the dual purpose of holding conferences and arts events presenting a diverse range of art, music, theatre, dance, film and creative learning.
The Barbican’s Business Events team contributes to the venue’s future success. To make the most of the Barbican’s rich culture and heritage, Barbican Business Events was created to bring together their expertise in three very different areas – the arts, creative learning and corporate business. This approach to corporate events is based on stronger, more in-depth partnerships with their artistic, creative learning and development teams in order to bring more creativity and rich content to events.
About the Barbican
The Barbican is a catalyst for creativity, sparking possibilities for artists, audiences, and communities. We showcase the most exciting art from around the world, pushing traditional artistic boundaries to entertain and inspire millions of people, create connections, provoke debate, and reflect the world we live in.
We are an international arts and events centre rooted firmly in our own neighbourhood, collaborating with local communities and putting the City of London on the map as a destination for everybody. Central to our purpose is supporting emerging talent and shaping opportunities that will accelerate the next generation of creatives.
As a not-for-profit, we rely on the generosity of individuals and organisations, including our principal funder the City of London Corporation. Every ticket purchased, donation made, and pound earned supports our arts and learning programme and enables the widest possible range of people to experience the joy of the arts.
Opened in 1982, the Barbican is a unique and audacious building, recognised globally as an architectural icon. As well as our theatres, galleries, concert halls and cinemas, we have a large conservatory with over 1,500 species of plants and trees, a library, conference facilities, public and community spaces, restaurants, bars, and a picturesque lakeside oasis.
