Following the move to their new depot in June 2006, Norman Collett Ltd identified a need to expand their sales and technical teams.  Growth of business has meant that new positions have been created to support the work of the Directors and to enable the company to offer an improved service to both growers and customers.

Dean Tunbridge joined us in November as our new Accounts Manager. Previously with the KG Fruits Sales and Logistics teams for 10 years, Dean has been brought into the company to concentrate on the growth of product volumes and to increase company awareness of the needs of customers and of growers in an ever changing environment. 

Talking about his time in the industry, Dean commented "when I left school I was looking for a part time job while I made up my mind what I wanted to do as a career.  I got a job with a fresh produce company and here I am 25 years later, I have never looked back!"  Dean will also be using his wealth of experience to establish new market sectors and to identify new challenges and opportunities to expand the business " there will be very exciting times ahead" he added.

Sarah Calcutt has joined the company in the newly created role of Technical Manager.  Formerly the Business Development Manager for Hadlow College, Sarah is taking on the task of audit and crop assurance scheme management, whilst also helping the Quality and Publicity departments. After a varied career in and around the farming sector, Sarah views it all as good preparation for her new job "Very rarely does such a varied and challenging job come along, my first couple of months have been a pretty steep learning curve, but very enjoyable." She added "One of the greatest benefits to working with Colletts is the people; both in-house, the growers and our customers.  It has been lovely to get to know such a pleasant and supportive bunch!" 

Making good use of Sarah's experience with audit and Health and Safety management, Norman Collett is now in a position to offer a greater level of support to growers, providing assistance with assurance scheme audits and record systems management.

New QA assistant, Mark Batt has replaced Warren Porritt; who after four years with the company has returned to working in TV.  A hop grower's son, Mark is a new recruit to fruit, but has experience in quality management systems from working in the potato sector.  Mark has joined the roving quality management team, supporting pack houses and ensuring quality standards for our customers.

Also new  are QC assistants Maja Baranek and her fiancé, Pawel.  Maja and Pawel are with us for six months running the depot QC and shelf life trials service.  Maja is an experienced QC and is training her fiancé to her high standards, under the watchful eye of Nigel Stewart, Quality Manager.  Nigel observed " with the combination of the mobile team, technical support and good in house QCs, the quality of our service to the grower and the customer is ever improving".

more to follow