Our People

Joe joined in the business in 2001, having gained an Honours Degree in Agriculture with Farm Business Management at Newcastle University. Having spent much of his career to date focused on Yorkwold and pig production, his responsibilities are now spread across all of the farming businesses within the Dewhirst Farming Group. As such he works closely with each of Rick, Rich, Phil and Jim to ensure each business is performing to its optimum.

Rick joined the business in 2007, having gained a BSc Degree in Agriculture with honours in Animal Production Science at Newcastle University and a MBA in Advanced Farm Management at the Royal Agricultural University. His Managing Director’s role is focused on the pullet rearing, poultry feed milling and egg laying operations of Nafferton Wold Farms Ltd, working closely with Joe on the business management of the enterprises and with the heads of department on the day to day management.

Rich joined Yorkwold in October 2020 as Production Director Designate, before being appointed Production Director in February 2022. In September 2025, he was promoted to Joint Managing Director, working alongside Joe.

Rich brought valuable experience from Cranswick Plc, where he was Production Manager for Wold Farms then later as Agriculture Manager, overseeing the supply chain for major retailers.

As Joint Managing Director, Rich’s focus is to drive the production team to ensure Yorkwold achieves its goals while maintaining the company’s core values and commitment to its pigs and people

Jim joined E. Reed & Son in 2025, bringing with him a wealth of experience in arable farming.  He completed his formal qualifications at Bishop Burton College, gaining a BTEC NDA, an FdSc in Agriculture and a BSc Hons Degree in Agricultural Resource Management.  Prior to joining E. Reed & Son Jim spent time on the Yorkshire Wolds working for 2 prominent potato producers, before spending 10 years as an assistant manager in Lincolnshire.  He has day to day responsibility for the 2,500ac arable business, working alongside a team of 4 arable operators.  Jim works closely with Joe on the med/long term planning of the business.

Phil joined Yorkwold as a stockman in 1991 and soon progressed to became assistant manager. He has since managed 2 other Yorkwold pig farms before being promoted to Production Manager in 2010. Phil is responsible for half of Yorkwold’s pig farms and an integral part of the production team, working closely with Rich, Joe, and each farms manager to ensure the highest welfare and optimum performance.

Alex joined the business in 2026 as Technical Manager, having graduated from Newcastle University in 2017 with a BSc (Hons) in Animal and Agricultural Science.

Prior to joining the business Alex spent six years with JSR Genetics, where she held the role of Technical Manager. During this time, she was responsible for delivering on-farm trials, working closely with production teams to improve efficiency and performance, and supporting the sale of JSR products to pig producers across the UK. Alex also played a key role in the development of JSR’s sustainability strategy.

As Technical Manager, Alex works closely with our farming and management teams, helping to drive technical performance, innovation, and continuous improvement across the business.

Tom joined the business in 2018 from local accountancy and business advisory firm Smailes Goldie Group. Tom grew up on a family farm close to Driffield and then joined SGG in Hull straight from school, gaining his ACCA accountancy qualificationin 2016. He 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 as secretary to Jim Dewhirst and soon gained a key understanding of the business ethos and direction. As the business grew Janet took on more of a managerial role as new members were added to the office team. As such Janet now manages the administrative team in the office. She has a vast knowledge of all of the key office processes that ensure a smooth running business.

Nicola joined the Yorkwold office team in 1991 as PA to Kevin Walker, who was Managing Director of Yorkwold at the time. Prior to that Nicola had spent time working on various pig units, giving her a sound grounding on the principals of pig production. She now 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.

Nic joined the business in January 2022, following the retirement of Sue Peck after 25 years’ service.  Nic has an Honours Degree in English Literature and Language, but has spent the whole of her career working with numbers, holding several book keeping and accounts based roles in the Driffield area. Nic is now responsible primarily for the Yorkwold financial accounts, enabling up to date information is available for key decisions by the senior management team.

Matt joined the business in 2008, primarily to take on the management of the E. Reed & Son accounts. Matt has since proven his ability to take on multi-disciplined tasks across the group and as such has an extremely varied role. His primary role though remains the recording and management of the non-pig financial accounts, ensuring up to date information is available for the senior management team. However, Matt is also involved in data entry, analysis and presentation of various complex production figures across the group.

Debbie joined the business in 1999 and has primary responsibility for the Agrosoft pig recording system, ensuring vast amounts of data is added onto the system weekly and that management reports are produced for the production team and the unit managers. This important role is extremely time sensitive, allowing the production team to make timely fact based decisions across the business.

Jess joined the business in 2024, having been at local land and estate agency firm Dee Atkinson & Harrison in Driffield. Jess’s role covers administrative tasks across the group including accounts production and HR.