Our People

Joe joined in the business in 2001. HIs responsibilities are spread across all of the farming businesses within the Dewhirst Farming Group and as such he works closely with each of Rick, Robert and Mike to ensure each business is performing to its optimum.

As Managing Director of Yorkwold Pigpro Robert has overall responsibility for the running of the pig business, working closely with Joe on business development and with Phil and Sebastian on production. Robert joined the business in 2001.

Rick joined the business in 2007. HIs Managing Director’s role is split the egg laying operations of Nafferton Wold Farms and the anaerobic digestion enterprise of Burton Agnes Renewables, working closely with Joe on the business management of the enterprises and with the heads of department on the day to day management.

Sebastian joined the business in 2018 and takes production management responsibilities for half of Yorkwold’s portfolio of pig units, working closely with Robert on their direction and also with each unit’s site manager to ensure optimum performance.

Phil has worked his way up through the ranks from stockman, having joined Yorkwold in 1991, and now takes production management responsibilities for half of Yorkwold’s portfolio of pig units, working closely with Robert on their direction and also with each unit’s site manager to ensure optimum performance.

Tom joined the business in 2018 and has a key role in overseeing the financial management and planning of all of the businesses in the group.

Janet joined the business in 1986 and manages the administrative team in the office. Janet has a vast knowledge of all of the key office processes that ensure a smooth running business.

Nicola joined the business in 1991 and has a vital role in the logistical management of pig unit feed, sundries and internal/external pig sales. Nicola works closely with all of the pig unit personnel to ensure that all of their requirements are met.

Sue joined in business in 1996, having already worked for Dewhirst Group clothing in Driffield. Sue’s key role is the recording and management of the Yorkwold financial accounts, enabling up to date information is available for the senior management team.

Matt joined the business in 2008 and has a varied role across the group. His primary role though is the recording and management of the non-pig financial accounts, enabling up to date information is available for the senior management team.

Debbie joined the business in 1999 and has primary responsibility for the Agrosoft pig recording system, ensuring vast amounts of data are added onto the system weekly and that management reports are produced for the production team and the unit managers.

Pagan joined the business in 2016 as admin assistant. Her varied role includes “front of house”, secretarial work and various data entry tasks. Pagan is currently away from the business on maternity leave.

Mike joined the business in 1976 and heads up the arable business. He has day to day responsibility for the management of the arable business, working with a team of 3 to manage production on 2,000 acres of arable land. Mike works closely with Joe on the medium/long term planning of the business.

Pippa joined the business in 2019 to take on the role vacated by Pagan’s leave of absence, and as such carries out all of Pagan’s tasks above. Pippa’s role is a permanent one required by the expanding group operations.