Food Drink Devon Appoints Four New Directors to its Board as the Community Interest Company (CIC) Thrives

One of the country’s leading food and drink organisations, Food Drink Devon, is thrilled to announce the appointment of four new directors to its board.  Committed to increasing Devon’s food and drink profile, the membership organisation represents Devon's finest food and drink producers, retailers, hospitality venues and related businesses. The announcement comes at an exciting time for Food Drink Devon which has grown to include 350 members.

Chaired by Greg Parsons, managing director of Sharpham Cheese, the four new board directors include Clare Bushby, managing director of Clockwork Marketing, chef and hospitality consultant, Richard Hunt, who has led a variety of kitchens across the UK from London hotels to exclusive Devon restaurants, Tim Ball co-founder and director of Bar Buoy and Tom Lomas, Head of Retail and Hospitality at the Greendale Group.  The new board directors join existing vice chair Mike Young and fellow directors Tom Chartres-Moore, Susy Atkins, Lola Grogan, Jack Pickering, Pete Falloon and Amanda Stansfield.

Food Drink Devon chair Greg Parsons, comments on the appointment of the new directors: "Food Drink Devon is excited to welcome four new members to its board.  Clare, Tom, Richard and Tim all bring with them a wealth of experience and ideas for the future to help the organisation and its members thrive.  Despite the challenges the food, drink and hospitality industry has faced over the last few years, we are all optimistic about the future and are committed to supporting each other via Food Drink Devon’s incredible network of producers, hospitality businesses, retailers and supporter businesses.”

Clare Bushby, adds: “A perk of working in Devon’s hospitality sector is I get to enjoy and experience some of the very best food and drink produce from across the county.  I look forward to applying some of the marketing expertise and growth strategies we use with our clients to help members build thriving businesses, so Devon increases its national recognition for its outstanding food and drink scene.”

Tom Lomas, says: "I am privileged to have a strong working relationship with many of Devon's top food and drink brands, supporting them as suppliers to Greendale Farm Shop.  I feel very proud of the fantastic range and quality of produce created in this county and I hope that I will be able to add my own skills and knowledge to the board to help our members succeed."

Richard Hunt, adds: “As a chef, to be asked to help promote Devon’s tremendous food larder and its wonderful producers through Food Drink Devon is an honour and a privilege, and a great way to showcase the best of what we do here in Devon to the rest of the UK and beyond.”

Tim Ball, comments: “The region is full of amazing entrepreneurs creating fantastic food and drink for us all to enjoy. I hope that I will be able to share some of my experience to help support the board and members of Food Drink Devon to flourish.”

Focusing on quality, sustainability and provenance, Food Drink Devon aims to support and promote their 350 members and raise Devon’s culinary profile.  As a Community Interest Company (CIC), the organisation is built from the ground up to serve and benefit its community, the members of Food Drink Devon.

For more information about Food Drink Devon visit www.fooddrinkdevon.co.uk, follow @FoodDrinkDevon on X, Facebook and Instagram.