A new managing director has emerged from within at a leading East Yorkshire poultry firm.
Soanes’ director of sales and marketing, Ben Lee, is stepping up to succeed retiring Nigel Upson after a decade at the helm of the Middleton on the Wolds family-owned business.
Mr Lee, 32, joined the £24 million turnover company in 2008 after completing his A Levels at Driffield School.
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He has worked across the business in little under 14 years, and was appointed to the senior management team in 2019.
He joined the main board as a director last year.
"I have a great team around me and am grateful for the opportunities that I have been given,” he said. “I'm looking forward to developing the team and guiding the business sustainably to the next level for our employees and for future generations of the Soanes family.”
Mr Upson joined Soanes in 2012 and was credited with returning the business to sustainable profit in 2014, which allowed significant investment in infrastructure, quality, personnel and marketing. He will remain with Soanes in a business support role until his official retirement next year, with Mr Lee assuming overall responsibility for the 105-strong team with immediate effect.
"I have every confidence that Ben has the necessary skills to deliver the next chapter in the 75-year history of Soanes Poultry successfully,” Mr Upson said.
“He is knowledgeable in all areas of the business, is well respected by colleagues, customers and suppliers alike, and always has the best interests of the business at the heart of his decision making.
"Meanwhile, I'm looking forward to playing a supporting role as I plan for my retirement which will be spent resurrecting old hobbies, learning new skills, volunteering and exploring the UK with my wife.”
Mr Lee grew up in Middleton on the Wolds, where his father Graham is still a gamekeeper, and lives with his wife and daughter in Driffield.
Fourth generation Soanes was founded by Tom Soanes and has been rearing and preparing chicken for 75 years. It has a reputation for high welfare and sustainable practice and sells chicken to butchers and independent retailers throughout Yorkshire and to wholesalers and catering butchers nationwide.
It was named Large Business of the Year at the Hull Live Business Awards 2021.
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