Intro
WELCOME
Intro
WELCOME
I'm an accomplished strategist, marketeer, leader and educator. As a respected member of the global speciality cheese industry, I have extensive experience in new and old world cheese production, retail and distribution including the food & farming sector(s) at large.
As the son of a first generation sheep farmer on the edge of Dartmoor, England, I grew up with an understanding of what it takes to create a sustainable living in agriculture from scratch. My mother's cooking taught me the joy of great food and set it as the centre of my home life. This farm to table existence set the foundations for my way of life.
This is my story.
Intro 2
Intro 2
My food career began at Quicke’s Cheese in Devon where I co-created a five year plan with a strategy (to FY 2019/20) to restore growth and profitability after years of decline. This ongoing work created a bright, vibrant and world class brand, underpinned by an increasingly profitable enterprise. I recruited and built a sales and marketing team to deliver on this growth with me and left the business in 2020.
In the Spring of 2020 I co-founded cheese import business, European Fine Cheese, to assist producers in Europe and Switzerland in building their market in the UK. This developed into representation around the world, drawing on my network and experience around the “cheese world”. I took over the business from my co-founder in 2021.
In the Spring of 2021 I formalised the work that I had been doing out of passion over the years by setting up the consultancy business Make Hay, which I run alongside European Fine Cheese today.
Intro 3
“In the years I've worked with Tom as his mentor, Tom has achieved an incredible amount. I have always found Tom to be a great listener with an inquisitive mind, sense of self belief and purpose, as well as a calm and logical approach. Tom's skillset and sheer hard work has seen sales, profitability and brand growth make great strides forward. I am personally proud to have been of assistance to Tom."
Christopher Milton, Sales Director, Thatchers Cider
Intro 3
“In the years I've worked with Tom as his mentor, Tom has achieved an incredible amount. I have always found Tom to be a great listener with an inquisitive mind, sense of self belief and purpose, as well as a calm and logical approach. Tom's skillset and sheer hard work has seen sales, profitability and brand growth make great strides forward. I am personally proud to have been of assistance to Tom."
Christopher Milton, Sales Director, Thatchers Cider
I believe that all of us have an inherent interest in the production process of artisan foods and fibres through the farming practices that underpin them. Food and farming are at the core of my work and my values.