Director Profiles

Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1980 with Price Waterhouse before joining the Burton Group plc (subsequently Arcadia Group plc) in 1984. Was Group Finance Director from 1997 until 2003. Serves as Non-Executive Director of Unite Group plc, where he is the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, C&J Clark Limited and Pinewood Shepperton plc. Owns a small farm in mid-Devon near Tiverton.

Joined the Board in 2001, Deputy Chairman since 2004. Trustee of Countrywide Farmers Retirement Benefits Scheme. Director of Abercrombie & Kent Limited. Chairman of British Equestrian Federation Fund (BEFF). Director of British Eventing Limited (BE). Former Managing Director of United Molasses Group. Arable Farmer and equine stud owner.

Joined West of England Farmers in 1985 and subsequently became Agri Director of WMF Limited in 1997. Holds a degree in Agriculture and an MBA. Following the formation of Countrywide Farmers in 1999 became Director of Agri Sales before becoming Deputy Managing Director in 2003 and Managing Director in June 2004. Serves as Trustee of both of the Company’s pension schemes.

Qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1985 with Thomson McLintock. Has held senior positions with a number of retailers including Allders Department Stores, furniture retailer Gillow, Jaeger and Warner Bros Studio Stores between 1986 and 2000. Finance Director and Company Secretary at Fortnum & Mason plc for six years, between 2000 and 2006 and joined Countrywide Farmers in November 2006.

Qualified with a degree in Agriculture from Cambridge and worked in Uganda before commencing farming in 1978. Currently Managing Director of Hawk Creative Business Park Ltd and Hawkhills Consultancy Limited. Senior partner in WN Gill & Son, Chairman of English Apples & Pears Ltd and Chairman of Eden Research Plc. Involved in NFU from early 1980’s, culminating in the National Presidency from 1998 to 2004. In 2005 chaired the Government’s Biomass Task Force to improve uptake of Biomass as a renewable energy source. Chairman of the Nominations Committee.

Graduated in Metallurgy from Sheffield University in 1970 and awarded a PhD in 1973. Worked for significant companies in the Energy industry, latterly as a Director, including UK Petroleum Products Ltd, prior to establishing the consultancy company, Prime Energy Technologies Limited which provides support to small and medium sized businesses in the energy and technology sectors. Chairman of the Remuneration Committee.

Has held a number of senior positions in Corporate Banking, both in the UK and USA. Currently Managing Director of White Eagle Consulting Ltd, Non-Executive Director of Cornish Farm Dairy Ltd and Devon Waste Management Ltd. From 1996 to 2009 was Director of Ernst & Young specialising in advising on corporate finance mergers and acquisitions as well as assisting various enterprises develop their commercial strategy and generate value for shareholders. Chairman of the Audit Committee.