Richard Clark joined Branston in 1989 as a trader, leveraging his extensive background in farming gained from years of working on his family farm. His dedication and expertise allowed him to progress rapidly within the organization.
Over the years, Clark took on several key roles in areas such as planning, budgeting, and managing grower relationships, ultimately culminating in his appointment as commercial director.
Currently, there are no details available regarding his successor.
Branston stands as one of the UK’s premier suppliers of potatoes, catering to both retail and wholesale markets with operational sites in Lincoln, Perth, and Somerset.
Reflecting on his journey with Branston, Clark expressed,
“Every day at Branston is different, and I have had a wonderful time over the last three decades learning everything I can about potato supply and contributing to the growth of the business. Branston was very different when I joined back in 1989 and the market is continuing to evolve, but understanding the whole industry has been key to my career longevity, and I’m privileged to have had many opportunities to learn and grow at Branston.”
He also highlighted that a significant highlight of his 35 years has been building a strong team around him.
“I have worked with many talented people throughout my career, both internally and externally, and building these strong relationships has been extremely rewarding,” he added.
“After three decades of potatoes, I’m now looking forward to spending some time travelling with my family.”
Jim Windle, CEO of Branston, conveyed his sincere appreciation for Clark’s
“invaluable” dedication and contributions over the years.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Richard and experience his passion for the industry, and we all wish him, and his family, well for the future,” stated Windle.
He further remarked,
“The longevity of Richard’s career is testament also to the breadth of opportunities and depth of real relationships this sector has to offer. It is possible to have an incredibly versatile career in produce and added-value food categories, not least because in these sectors it is critical that you are able to look up and downstream in equal measure and be as close with your supply base as you are with your customers. Very few industries offer or demand this.”
Windle also praised Clark’s resilience, acknowledging the challenges faced within this dynamic sector, stating,
“At Branston, we’re committed to investing in people and supporting our team in long-term careers like Richard’s. His expertise will be missed, but we’re equally looking forward to welcoming and growing the next generation of talent, which is well underway.”
