Committee
Stephanie Dunn James (Committee member)
Is Assistant Managing Director at Frank P Matthews Ltd.
Frank P Matthews Ltd is a wholesale tree nursery growing fruit and ornamental trees. It is a family run company and Stephanie is the fourth generation of the family. She has been working in the company full time now for over 3 years, however has always worked and been involved throughout the latter stages of her childhood and school holidays etc. Some may say trees are in her blood.She experienced the Under 40s conference for the first time in 2009 and thoroughly enjoyed it. Being fairly new to the industry at that time she found it particularly useful in being able to make contacts and meet people of a similar age in the industry.
Steve Castle (Committee member)
Fruit Manager at Torry Hill Farm specialising in Stone Fruit. He has been working within the fruit industry for 22 years and has previously been a key part of the team at Mount Ephraim.
He has a vast wealth of knowledge related to growing especially in regards to fruit. He has also been on previous Under 40 conferences and has made valuable contacts in the industry.
James Shillitoe (Vice-chairman)
After graduating from Seale-Hayne Agricultural College, he spent next 18 years as a grower specialising in the production of salads, vegetables and herbs in Portugal, Kenya, Zimbabwe and the U.K. He now works for Farm Advisory Services Team (FAST) Ltd as a top fruit advisor.
Alex Julien (Committee member)
Marketing Manager for Bulrush Horticulture Ltd, suppliers of growing substrates for soft fruit growers. Alex is a balding, hyperactive individual who enjoys playing and watching sport, especially skiing, rugby and mountain biking -he is also big a fan of drinking and eating...
Will Dobson (Treasurer)
Is a director of Hill Farm Orchards, based at Swanmore in Hampshire. He joined the company in May 2008, having previously been a chartered surveyor in Wiltshire.
Ben Ashdown (Chairman)
Studied Agriculture at Hadlow College, and held various agricultural roles, before moving into the fruit sector when he joined Edward Vinson Ltd in 1995. He fulfilled varied management roles until he set up his own business in 2007, specializing in occupational safety and health, legal and customer compliance for rural businesses. He has attended 4 previous Under 40’s conferences, and feels that they are an invaluable networking and educational event.
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