Food Service Supplier

Although now retired for some time, Harold remains a valuable board member, advising on many issues and utilising his vast experience and knowledge of food service.

Having joined the family business at the age of 17, my education at the University of SPL began on the factory floor, sweeping up and making tea. After six eventful years spent learning all aspects of warehousing, transport and manual labour, I was promoted to the Sales Team, and so began the next part of my career path. For the next ten years or so, i was a rep “on the road”, driving the length and breadth of the UK, visiting customers and selling my soul, as well as our extensive product range. The next logical step for me was to take a greater interest in sourcing and procurement. Having the ability to sit with a foot in both camps is a great advantage whether buying or selling because you always have an idea what is happening on the other side, at least that’s a theory anyway! Following the MBO of other family members, I became the MD in 2007 and set about making SPL a progressive, innovative and driven food company with a vision to provide for our customers a service second to none. I am extremely lucky to be surrounded by an excellent team.

At home, my wife of 25 years Lecia always reminds me who the true power broker is and in the office my Co-Directors and senior Managers provide the loyalty, support and professionalism that drives me on to continually strive for excellence. On a personal note, Manchester City are “the only football team in Manchester” and the Godfather will always be the greatest movie ever made.

I have been at SPL for the majority of my working life. My second job was at SPL. I have always worked within sales and over the years, I have successfully managed the sales logistics function to enable the business to efficiently and effectively deliver goods to our customers in a planned and timely fashion. Firstly, I was promoted to Office Manager and then in March 2011, having ‘survived’ 25 years’ service, I was promoted to company Director. My mission now is to ensure business continuity, excellent customer service and seamless food service provision.

SPL is also the place I met my husband – Roger. If we’re not spending time renovating our home (affectionately known as the money pit), we are saving for our next trip to a far flung destination.

I joined SPL Foods in the late 80s as the Company Accountant. Previous to this I had held similar roles within the Co-operative Wholesale group and Crane Fruehauf. SPL was my first, and only, job in the food industry; but in my line of work they are easily transferrable skills. The business has changed and grown over the years to what we now see today. Hopefully I have played my part in enhancing the business. In 2004 I was invited to join the board of Directors, a role I readily accepted. Back in 2010 I became semi-retired but continued with the company being used as a “go to sounding board” and working closely with our fledging sister company, Quattro Foods. Quattro was our first move into a food manufacturing environment, also in 2010.

I have been a Manchester United season ticket holder for more years than I care to remember and, along with my wife Jen, also indulge our strong interest in horse racing. We currently have three, in partnerships, in training. Our ambition is to have a winner at York Races.

Since the age of 13 the food industry has been a passion. Starting as a kitchen porter in the school holidays I developed a passion for the catering industry and cooking. I was soon promoted to a Commis Chef and eventually went to college full time and completed my chef qualifications and hotel management course. In 1994 my career moved in a completely different direction, I joined CPC Caterplan (Unilever Bestfoods) where I spent 4 years and reached the position of National Sales Trainer. The next stage of my career took me to Tilda Ltd where I spent 9 years. I held a number of positions including National Account Manager. In 2007 I set up a sales and marketing agency working on behalf of many companies including SPL. In December 2009 I joined the SPL team full time heading up the Foodservice and Industrial sales divisions. In October 2013 I was invited to join the SPL board of Directors as Commercial Director.

My hobbies include road cycling, gym and football – a sport that I have played at a semi-professional level. I support Liverpool FC as well as being a secret Blackpool FC fan! I have been married to Amanda since 2001 and we have 3 children, Ruby, Oliver and Florence.

Having graduated from University in 1993, I’ve worked in a number of sales, marketing and product sourcing roles dealing with some of the UK’s leading retails chains. From textiles to toys, housewares to home electronics, I have an in-depth knowledge of global product sourcing and international supply chain management. I joined the SPL team as a buyer in 2012 and we have a simple goal; to provide our customers with the finest foods, on time, within specification and at the most competitive prices.

Married with two sons; I’m a Manchester United season ticket holder, qualified football coach and keen (but hopeless) golfer.

I started working for SPL in 1999 as Purchase Ledger Clerk. Over the years I have worked in various departments including Purchasing, Imports, Credit Control and Payroll. I was then promoted to Assistant Accountant and then Financial Controller, which is my current role.

Outside of work, my interests include horse riding and spending time with my family.

After graduating from University in 1992 I was enrolled in a graduate training programme within the Technical Department of a health products manufacturer. After 10 years, eventually becoming Technical Manager, I decided on a change of scene and joined SPL Foods Ltd as Quality Assurance Manager in 2002. The Quality Assurance department at SPL Foods Ltd has grown to include lead assessors, HACCP auditor and Phytosanitary Inspectors. My team is responsible for all aspects of food safety and quality within SPL Foods, dealing with technical support, customer service and new product development. We also manage all regulatory and legal compliance issues throughout the business.

I joined SPL Foods Ltd after 13 years in the foodservice industry with Rickmers Reismuhle.  I have been responsible for all aspects of running a foodservice company from order processing to accounts and from stock control to marketing. I am now in sales as an Account Manager for our Foodservice division which is a role that I find very rewarding. It’s nice to speak to my customers face to face after all these years.

In my spare time I enjoy going to concerts, mountain biking & being a volunteer Park Ranger for Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park.  I’m also a plot holder & the Treasurer for my local allotments.

I particularly love being at the other end of the foodservice industry – eating in good restaurants.

I joined SPL Foods Ltd in May 2018 as Commercial Manager, responsible for SPL’s Key Foodservice Accounts.  My career spans over 20 years in Foodservice, retail convenience and Industrial markets and I have a key understanding of high volume traded commodity goods in both branded and private label.  I have held commercial roles with Fyffes plc, 3663, Petty Wood and Caterers Choice covering business development and National Account management.

When not working, I enjoy spending my spare time with my family and 3 dogs – a Working Cocker Spaniel, Springer Spaniel and a German Short Haired Pointer.

I spent my summers working in the family business helping out as an office junior, so after I graduated from Birmingham University with an English Language degree in 2014, I began working at SPL full time. Although I had never intended to join the family business originally, I took on the role as Special Project Co-ordinator. After a few years and one maternity leave later, I have started in a sales support role and work closely with our sales reps to analyse sales figures. I have already learnt a lot and I hope to continue to learn more.

Much like the rest of the family, I am a season ticket holder for Manchester City. I enjoy travelling whenever possible and spending time with family and friends.

After having my own shop for about five years with little experience behind me, I became a sweeper at SPL in August 1989. Another five years passed and I eventually made it into the Sales team. As a multi-linguist, this language benefit means most of my customers are from the ethnic community. I have been working at SPL ever since and I would happily spend the rest of my working life here!

I like to challenge myself and enjoy competition, however working at SPL makes life easy. We all work together as a team and everyone is very helpful, resulting in a very friendly environment.

Having been with SPL Foods Ltd for the greater part of my working life and having worked my way through the ranks, my responsibilities now mainly life within the ethnic sector of the business servicing the wholesale trade. As ever it is interesting and competitive with never a dull moment.

Away from SPL my main focus are my 3 lovely grandchildren who never cease to amaze me.

After deciding University wasn’t for me, I chose to join the family business and started working at SPL Foods Ltd in 2018. My main role at SPL is to process the sales orders, from receipt of order to invoice and loading. I liaise with customers, sales representatives, stock control and shipping and also arrange transport to ensure goods are delivered on time to the correct locations.

I enjoy spending my weekends with family and friends and also have a passion to travel and see the world as much as possible.

I started working at SPL Foods Ltd in October 2013 within the Accounts team as the Purchase Ledger/Accounts Payable clerk. In 2017, I was promoted to Assistant Accountant.

Out of work I enjoy spending time with my husband and two daughters, going on family holidays and socialising with friends.

I joined SPL in November 2016, on a temporary basis, as Purchase Ledger Clerk. In May 2017, I gained a permanent role as Accounts Payable & Payroll Administrator, which I thoroughly enjoy. I deal with all the invoices from our suppliers and process all outgoing payments. I also process the company payroll.

Outside of work, I love my holidays abroad, socialising with friends and spending quality time with my husband and family.

I started with SPL Food Ltd in 2018, joining the accounts team as a credit controller. I assist in keeping the sales ledger up to date and helping with customer queries. I thoroughly enjoy my job here and working with the friendly team.

I am responsible for all site operations at SPL Foods Ltd, including health & safety, food safety, human resources and facility management. Since joining SPL Foods in 2000, I have built a highly motivated Operations team who have proven themselves able to develop and implement site operational strategies that support business and financial objectives.

I have been married since 1989 and have 2 children; a son who plays semi-professional football and a daughter who is a talented dancer. For my sins, I watch Manchester City whenever possible!

I have worked in the food manufacturing business for over ten years, where I started as a production operative on the shop floor and progressed my way up to the technical department, gaining many qualifications along the way. I joined SPL Foods in 2016 as the Quality Systems Compliance Officer. Responsibilities include ensuring that all QA/technical tasks are fulfilled in a professional and timely manner to guarantee that the company is always complying to the industry and to provide customers with safe and quality products.

In my personal time, I enjoy watching most sports. Thanks to my family, I am a big football follower and support the best team in the world – Manchester City! I have been a season ticket holder for many years and have followed them up and down the country. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and taking care of all of them.

I have worked at SPL in various roles and now hold the position of Logistics Manager. I am ultimately responsible for managing the movement of goods, delivering to the right location on time and at a good cost. My role also includes liaising and negotiating with many parties including shipping lines, freight forwarders, port health and suppliers. I arrange all customs paperwork, analysing logistical problems and producing new solutions. I work with a great team and really enjoy the job, continually trying to improve our business performance.

Married with two children, I love holidays abroad and socialising with friends.

I began working for SPL Food Ltd in September 1997 as an apprentice, attending Oldham College one day a week.  I completed 3 years study obtaining AAT NVQ Level 4 in Accounting, and a separate course on Sage Payroll. I was in the Accounts department for almost 8 years before having my first child at the end of 2004. When I returned to work I started my new journey in the Imports department which I enjoy very much.  I assist with obtaining competitive freight rates and track all our imports from all over the world, ensuring goods are cleared by Customs and Port Health, and delivered within tight timescales. It can be quite demanding but I love the variety each day brings.

In my spare time I relish holidays with my husband and 2 children, and days out with extended family and friends.  I also enjoy the cinema and eating out.