Rachel O'Brien
Business Founder and Director
My background:
FMCG category marketing, retail buying, brand strategy and development, category strategy and management, supplier development in the retail sector.
What I bring to the team:
A positive attitude and pragmatic approach, strong working knowledge of the UK retail sector, understanding of consumer behaviours and a passion for building sustainable food and drink businesses.
Outside of work I love:
Food and drink, walking, running and yoga, friends and family, sunny holidays!
Amanda Peberdy
Business Founder and Director
My background:
Retail – store management, merchandising, buying and category management across most food and drink categories.
What I bring to the team:
A directional approach, commercial acumen, compliance training, cross-functional insight.
Outside of work I love:
Cooking, baking bread, nice meals with good wine, walks in the Dales.
Richard Hawney
Head of Commercial and Marketing
My background:
Category management, marketing, consumer/shopper and market insight, brand and strategy development across multiple FMCG categories and channels. Worked at retailers and manufacturers.
What I bring to the team:
Clear thinking, the consumer and shopper viewpoint, retailer knowledge and understanding, a commercial focus to marketing, calmness, positivity, a passion to help others succeed.
Outside of work I love:
Chocolate, cheese, gin, walking the dog, Watford FC, looking at other people's houses on Rightmove.
James Pearson
Commercial Consultant
My background:
Retail buying and supply of fresh and ambient categories. End to end P&L management, commercial range and promotional modelling. Experience of working with continental retailers and importing products manufactured globally.
What I bring to the team:
A detail orientated approach with strong emphasis on data analytics, all based around a firm grounding in the world of FMCG retail and manufacture.
Outside of work I love:
My pooch, cooking, wine, skiing, and on a Saturday in the summer you’re guaranteed to find me on the cricket field.
Clare Hutchinson
Commercial Consultant
My background:
Experience at various grocery retailers covering buying roles across non-food, ambient and fresh food, global sourcing, worked in stores for 2 years, store format development.
What I bring to the team:
Project and critical path management, clarity of thinking, extensive experience of UK and global sourcing with related P&Ls and commercial modelling to aid decision making.
Outside of work I love:
Trucking across the M62 ferrying my kids across the North of England, outside of that I squeeze in dog walks, playing tennis and seeing friends.
Matthew Slater
Commercial Executive
My background:
Buying, manufacturing, product development. Worked at retailers (both in store and head office) as well a brief stint at a PR company.
What I bring to the team:
Sales reporting and product set up using different retailer systems, strong Excel and data analysis skills, creative thinking…including the occasional rap. A ‘younger’ perspective, and fire safety!
Outside of work I love:
Supporting indie food and drink businesses, exploring the great outdoors, reading fantasy novels, and singing loudly to the radio – much to the annoyance of my partner!
Alison Pearce
Marketing Consultant
My background:
14 years' experience at Asda in marketing, buying and merchandising functions across chilled, grocery, non-food grocery, bakery, health and beauty categories. Also worked on the supplier side.
What I bring to the team:
Insight into market and product trends, management of the NPD process including packaging design and artwork, trade marketing to launch instore. Knowledge of product and packaging legislation.
Outside of work I love:
Being outdoors - from walking to gardening, going to the gym, cooking and trying out new recipes especially Indian cookery, watching reality TV!!!
Helen Waterhouse
Marketing Consultant
My background:
B2B and B2C marketing across the full marketing mix, business development and project and event management.
What I bring to the team:
Organisation, creativity, a desire and passion to see projects succeed, determination, an eye for detail, a CIM in Marketing and experience of the full marketing mix.
Outside of work I love:
Baking, travelling, visiting new countries, coffee, and watching The Apprentice and Bake Off.
Emma Hill
Supply Chain Consultant
My background:
End to end retail supply chain, forecasting, stock and order management, seasonal event planning, cross functional working with commercial, importing, distribution and trade planning teams
What I bring to the team:
A logical, analytical, and proactive approach, experience of retailer supply chain processes and systems, enthusiasm, positivity, an understanding of fresh and frozen warehouse operations
Outside of work I love:
Dining out, walks with the family, a good boxset binge, bottomless brunches, my pup Nellie, live music, musicals and 90s pop
Phil Miles
Supply Chain Consultant
My background:
Retail management, new store set up, demand planning, production planning, short shelf-life product management, materials procurement. Worked at retailers and manufacturers.
What I bring to the team:
Shop floor to top floor knowledge and experience in FMCG. Experience as a retailer, manufacturer, and supplier. A cool calm approach to problem solving.
Outside of work I love:
Live music, travel, petrol head, Tottenham Hotspur, DIY and consuming pies.
Jannine Jones
Supply Chain Executive
My background:
Ambient supply chain category management, identifying, developing, and implementing robust initiatives to support future needs across multiple FMCG categories and channels (online / wholesale / food boxes). Worked at a top 4 grocery retailer.
What I bring to the team:
Retailer knowledge and understanding, supply chain focus to support planning, development and implementation of day-to-day processing of stock from factory to customer, a passion to help others.
Outside of work I love:
Spending time with my huge family, spoiling my dog rotten and taking her to doggie play dates, and a love of any kind of crafting.
Natasha Fishwick
Head of Supply and Operations
My background:
Financial Controller, supply chain and operations consultant.
What I bring to the team:
Strategic planning, problem solving, breadth of knowledge across supply functions, warehouse processes and management accounts, determination to find solutions in complex supply landscapes.
Outside of work I love:
My family, singing and piano, walking and fresh air, good food and a great beer!
Chloe Richardson
Operations Executive
My background:
Office, logistics manager & supply chain specialist – working in both a supplier production environment and major multiple head office.
What I bring to the team:
Positivity and creative thinking with a strong attention to detail. Supply chain and logistical planning knowledge, having managed ambient categories and from experience in purchasing and stock control.
Outside of work I love:
Motorcycle trials, extreme enduro & hiking around the Dales with my terrier Inka!
Justine Crowther
Office Manager and Admin Exec
My background:
Operations Manager for All Bar One and Pret a Manger, Production Manager for LoveBrownies.com
What I bring to the team:
An organised, tidy and well-stocked working environment. Prompt and up to date invoices. Admin support for anyone who requires it, as well as tea and coffee making skills
Outside of work I love:
Walking on the moor with the dog, gardening and gin ….at the same time!
Hayley Galvin
Accounts Administrator
My background:
Accounts management. My previous role was at Talk Straight, a supplier of bespoke broadband to schools and businesses. I managed the company's financial data and compliance by maintaining accurate books on accounts payable and receivable and daily financial entries, payroll and reconciliations.
What I bring to the team:
Clear thinking, a methodical and analytical approach, attention to detail, problem solving, professionalism, friendliness, honesty and transparency
Outside of work I love:
Running, walking the dog, wine, Liverpool FC, travelling, going out for meals, watching my two daughters compete at Irish dancing and athletics, and sadly (!) cleaning my house
Tanya Gillighan
Commercial and Marketing Consultant
My background:
16 years in retail grocery across trading in both food and non-food, as well as global sourcing, marketing and store format development functions. I’ve also spent 5 years on the supplier side with food and non-food.
What I bring to the team:
Experience in category management, marketing, NPD management, business planning and strategy. Strong understanding of the consumer/shopper, turning data and insight into strategic plans. I also bring language skills, as I speak French and German (and have also spent 3 years as a languages teacher!)
Outside of work I love:
Travel, music, good food, spending time with family and friends, Zumba, Pilates and walking my crazy cockapoo.
Kristy Walton
Accounts Executive
My background:
Recycling and Waste Management in a variety of roles – including devising, implementing and running city wide kerbside schemes to residents and businesses. Ran a family business for 20 years so managed everything from customer enquiries, route scheduling and accounts payable and receivable.
What I bring to the team:
Team player with a friendly, positive attitude. Methodical and analytical and enjoy problem solving!
Outside of work I love:
Walking my dogs, fitness classes, spending time with friends and family, travelling, dark chocolate, wine and gin.
Joanne Weatherhead
Accounts Executive
My background:
Hospitality, Market Research and Accounts management. Previous roles included operations and accounts management in serviced apartments, hotels, and a market research facility in Leeds.
What I bring to the team:
A friendly, honest personality with positivity all around. I enjoy resolving problems and investigating accounting mishaps. I’m organised and do love a list.
Outside of work I love:
Attempting to keep up with my three children and Labrador! Settling down in the evening in front of the fire with my husband, a cup of tea and something yummy to eat.
Julie Windass
Executive Assistant
My background:
Over 30 years in HR across various sectors including licensed retailing, brewing, not for profit and HR consultancy specialising in SMEs. Proud to be a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
What I bring to the team:
Extensive experience in HR, organisational skills, multitasking, a different perspective and a real enthusiasm to learn and for life.
Outside of work I love:
Spending time with my family and friends, walking my dogs, Pilates, anything interior design/architecture related, cooking, reading, live music and comedy. I am an also an ICF Coach on a part time basis.