Herbs Unlimited ready for new era as family baton is handed over
THE FOUNDER of the Yorkshire family business Herbs Unlimited has passed the baton on to her son as the business looks to rise to the challenges and opportunities of Brexit.
Philip Dodd, formerly operations director, takes over as managing director of the speciality grower from his mother Alison Dodd, who founded the company in 1992. Ms Dodd will continue in a part-time business development role.
Herbs Unlimited grows herbs, salads and edible flowers on its farm at Sandhutton, near Thirsk. The company supplies the catering, hospitality, food manufacturing and wholesale sectors nationally.
Mr Dodd said: “This is an exciting moment and a new chapter for the business. Mum has left some big footsteps to fill but I am delighted to have this opportunity to make my own mark on the company after working alongside her for so long.
“Horticulture is a fast-moving and competitive sector and, with the management appointments we have made over the last year, we are ideally positioned to build on our successes and rise to the challenges presented by Brexit.”
After graduating in Land and Farm Management from Harper Adams, Mr Dodd worked with East Kent-based fresh producer grower Intercrop for three years before joining Herbs Unlimited in 2007 in a production management role.
Promoted to the board in 2011, he has been responsible for the day-to-day activities in the pack house and on the farm since 2012, while Ms Dodd focused on marketing and sales.
Together, they developed Herbs Unlimited into a £4m turnover business which employs 49 permanent staff.