Potato Review

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE I’ve had lots of opportunities to learn about the di erent aspects of the business, so I know a lot about the practical side of how things work. When they started to computerise things and the management side became more about sitting at a computer, I knew that wasn’t for me. I’d much rather be hands-on and utilise the knowledge in my head to make things happen. I tend to rely on pencil and paper and I’ll call someone if I need to speak to them or go and see them in person. I guess I’m old-school that way, but it works for me and I reckon I can remember and organise things better than a lot of the youngsters who rely on technology to keep track of everything. What challenges is the industry facing at the moment and what more could be done to meet and overcome these? e industry has faced a great deal of challenges in improving e ciency in every aspect and enhancing our green credentials. 30 POTATO REVIEW JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2023 Machinery has developed hugely since I started. All the processes on the production line used to be manual, now we have a machine that packs the produce, loads the stock for distribution and keeps track of everything. Technology at Branston is constantly in the limelight, and the focus on sustainability and strong farming practices that reduce waste is more important than ever to the end retailer, its consumers and our sta . We’re aiming to achieve net zero within our supply chain by 2030 and as part of this our teams have recently pitched and won investment across an array of expansion areas from soil management, to storage and transport. We’re also developing a unique fertiliser out of by-product potato pulp, which will reduce in-the- eld fertiliser outputs by up to 80%. Installing solar panels on our factory roofs and electric vehicle charging points at all sites is another way the environmental team has risen to the challenge of being more sustainable. What tips do you have for the future generation? Listen to the people that have worked there the longest. ey’ll know all the ins and outs of the company and how everything runs. e most important thing in a job is to enjoy it and to be happy. If you’re not happy, you might as well just call it a day because you can’t put 100% into your work if you’re not happy. “The most important thing in a job is to enjoy it and to be happy. If you’re not happy, you might as well just call it a day because you can’t put 100% into your work if you’re not happy.”