Dairy firm moves into the next generation...
A famous Westcountry brand of cream and ice-cream is going from strength to strength by keeping things in the family. reports
ATHIRD generation of the Harvey family is now involved in senior management at Plymouth dairy business Langage Farm after Ben Harvey was appointed general manager.
Ben has now joined his father James Harvey at the helm of the family-run business as partner and general manager with responsibility for day-to-day operations.
His appointment comes just months after Paul Winterton stepped down as managing director.
Ben graduated in chemistry from the University of Plymouth in 2016 and has since then been building his knowledge by working in different parts of the business.
He spent his childhood growing up around the business and is therefore no stranger to the world of dairy, especially after working in a number of departments from production to purchasing.
“I think one of my earliest memories is playing on the farm and enjoying the ice cream made here,” said Ben. “I have always been involved within the business, at different levels, however it’s a really exciting prospect to have the knowledge and support from the team as I take a more active senior role.
“It’s such a privilege to be here and I could not be prouder to be working in the family business and following the great examples of my father and grandparents.”
Managing partner James Harvey has been working at the dairy producer, set up by his parents Len and Buff Harvey, since graduating from Seale-Hayne agricultural college in 1987.
He said: “We are extremely proud of Ben. As a business owner you always imagine your children will play an active role in the company when the time is right. To be able to have the third generation of Harveys actively working at Langage Farm is something really special.”
Based at Smithaleigh, near Plymouth, Langage Farm has become synonymous with Devonshire clotted cream and ice-cream and has been successfully making its products since 1980.
“The Harvey family started to produce our world-famous clotted cream from our Jersey and Guernsey cows for a nearby shop” said James. “My parents Len and Buff Harvey sold their very first pot of Jersey cream in 1980 and with their love of making luxurious, quality products, the range just grew and grew and is the renowned success it is today – around the UK and beyond.”
Langage Farm is one of a few dairy producers that still maintain its own herd of cows. With a special herd of about 265 Jersey and Guernsey cows giving the products the unique creamy taste, the Harvey family has been taking care of the Channel Island herd since 1948. The cows spend around 22 hours a day outside in the summer grazing, only coming in for milking or bad weather.
In recent years Langage Farm has secured major contracts with supermarkets such as M&S and Aldi to make products including yogurts and flavoured clotted creams. In summer 2020 Langage created a special Strawberry Clotted Cream for M&S, the first of its kind, which sold so well it returned to their national stores again in summer 2021.
“We’ve been so fortunate to be able to promote Devon products nationwide” said Ben. “Our Devonshire clotted cream in particular is always a huge favourite, enjoyed in a Devon Cream Tea, cream first of course.”
Langage Farm produces clotted cream, double cream, yogurts, desserts, sorbets and 40+ flavours of ice creams under its own brand with the addition of yogurts and clotted creams for national brands over recent years.
In 2010 the company became the UK’s first carbon neutral dairy farm with its own Anaerobic Digester plant on site, converting food waste into electricity.
“The AD plant is just one of several environmental initiatives here at Langage Farm, and I’m looking forward to introducing more,” said Ben.
Ben’s elevation to a senior position is not the only change at Langage since Mr Winterton left the business at the end of August 2021 to become chief executive of new business Rare & Pasture, an organic farm and meat production compa
ny, also near Plymouth. In November 2021 the company welcomed Steve Davies as head of sales and marketing and Susannah Webber as technical manager.
Having previously worked at Langage Farm 10 years ago, Mr Davies brings with him a wealth of sales and marketing experience across different sectors.
“The chance to return to Langage Farm was too good to turn down,” he said. “It offers the opportunity to work with local small business partners across Devon and Cornwall as well as larger nationwide supermarkets.
“Langage Farm has gone from strength to strength and I’m so excited to be back. It is a fantastic Devon brand, and the county has such a tradition and heritage for high quality locally produced food. I believe there is a great opportunity to promote this local providence story across the country and beyond.
“It’s great to be back near my family in the Plymouth area, a city I have grown to know and love over the years. I have lived and worked in the area before – including four years as head of sales and marketing at Plymouth Argyle in their heady Championship days.
“For anyone who can cast their mind back, when I was at Argyle, I worked with Langage Farm team to introduce Argyle’s very own ice cream – Pilgrims Passion – apple crumble flavoured for the Green Army.
“I am looking forward to working with the next generation of Harveys, helping Ben take Langage Farm from strength to strength, alongside other newcomers to the team like Susannah.”
Ms Webber joins from Yeo Valley and has worked in the food industry for many years. She said: “I’m so fortunate to have worked in some amazing businesses, giving me the experience I needed to join Langage Farm. I started working as a Development Chef for Kensey Foods in
Plymouth, which was my first insight into the food industry, working closely with some of the major retailers developing desserts for Tesco, Cadbury and Co-Op. Launching a product you have designed into a store gives you a real sense of achievement.”
She added: “I have always loved food. I have fond memories of baking cakes with my mum and nan from a very young age. Science was my best subject at school, and resulted in my progression to University of Cardiff to study Food Science and Technology. My dad had other ideas for me, he wanted me to be the first woman to fly in the red arrows.
“Having grown up in Plymouth, Langage Farm’s lovely products were regularly consumed in our household, so when the opportunity to be technical manager arose, I had to go for it.
“I am really excited by my new role, to inspire the team with my passion for food quality, safety and hygiene standards, and to rediscover my creative side being involved in new product development. Plus, as a passionate supporter and season ticket holder since I was a youngster, I can help keep the local Plymouth Argyle link with Steve too.”