About Us
Bob Clark
FOUNDER OF CLARKS SYRUPS
Bob has over 30 years experience within the food industry. Prior to setting up Clarks, he worked for Cadburys, Premier Brands, Chivers Hartley in various management, sales and administration role, before becoming the UK sales manager for Danisco and then as an agent for a variety of European manufacturers covering both brand and private label development. In 2009 Bob launched Clarks UK after securing a listing with a major UK retailer and started packing maple syrup by hand from a small factory in Newport. The business grew strongly and within 2 years Clarks was the market brand leader of the then £14m maple syrup market.
This retail market has since grown to over £25m with Clarks accounting for over 50% of all volume sales. With an innovative approach to the business, he created the only pure maple syrup available packed in a clear squeezy bottles, a move that gained him customers from around the world. Through NPD Clarks continued to extend its range into natural sweeteners, desserts sauces and spreads and in 2017 Bob was approached by Hain Celestial, a large America company, wanting to buy his business, which was completed in December, 2017. Since then he has been working as a consultant for a large PLC and is an active early stage investor.
In 2013 Bob was presented with an IOD Director of the year award and in addition has won The Grocer award for NPD and retailer supplier awards In his spare time, he is a keen supporter of the performing arts, an avid art collector, struggling golfer, bee keeper, food lover and reluctant gardener.
Giles Drewett
FOUNDER OF PLANT-EX INGREDIENTS
Giles lived the first 22 years of his life in South Wales, and established his first businesses in the region which he managed and grew for a decade prior to exiting in 2008. Establishing Plant-Ex Ingredients Ltd, a manufacturer of Natural Colours and Flavourings for food manufacturers in 2010 as a one man operation, he has grown the company to a revenue in excess of £25 million with a team of more than 100 people. At the same time, he was an investor and Director of a Fragrance manufacturer, which has successfully been sold into an Employee Ownership Trust and continues to grow from strength to strength.
Giles principle experience in the Food Sector is in the B2B category, manufacturing and technical development of ingredient formulations to deliver a particular function. Coupled with the experience of having created subsidiary organisations in both Poland and the US, and buying into and acquiring the shareholding of a manufacturing operation in Turkey, Giles has a good understanding of the upstream workings of the food manufacturing sector.
Robin Williams
FOUNDER OF BRIGHTER FOODS
As well as being founder and CEO of Welsh snack bar manufacturer Brighter Foods until its diversment in 2021 after seven years of rapid growth and investment, Robin brings over 30 years of experience in the UK food industry. Former UK Entrepreneur of the Year, and founder of a multi award winning food manufacturing business, Robin has also led manufacturing businesses in the snacking, sports nutrition, and breakfast cereal sectors for PLCs. with turnovers of up to £100M across multiple manufacturing sites. From start up and fast growth and ultimately to divestment, Robin has a proven track record of raising capital and investment, developing and growing manufacturing capabilities and outputs through investment in machinery and efficiencies, building successful teams, and implementing BRC AA grade Quality systems. Robin is passionate about innovation in the food industry and producing goods of the highest quality, maintaining high levels of customer service. High energy and good cash management is at the heart of everything he does.
Following the sale of Brighter Foods in a £48M deal with THG Plc in 2021, Robin is now supporting other Welsh and UK food business owners in achieving their growth ambitions. He is particularly excited by the prospect of mentoring young, Welsh entrepreneurs who have great business ideas but are daunted by the prospect of seeking the investment and support they need to grow….
Away from business, Robin and his wife Sam, along with their three children, have returned to their farming and butchery roots, running a 100 acre diversified farm business. They are nurturing a small herd of rare breed pedigree cattle, along with sheep, goats, pigs and alpacas. Originally from North Wales and now based in Monmouthshire, they also run a successful wedding venue from the farm, with luxury accommodation. Any spare time is taken up by motorcycles and watching any form of motor racing.
Scott Davies
FOUNDER OF HILLTOP HONEY
Scott started his business Hilltop Honey at the age of 23 with a £5k start up overdraft and in 12 years has grown it to a £33m+ turnover business employing 130+ people, across two sites totalling 67,000 sqft. Scott converted a 55,000 sqft factory from a clothing factory to a BRC grade AA* honey & maple syrup factory whilst converting another factory to a peanut butter site producing private label. Hilltop has grown to become the 2 nd largest honey brand in the UK and the 3rd largest maple syrup brand gaining listings across all the major retailers and crafting out a brand in a competitive and challenging market. The brand has been grown with a shoestring marketing budget, by maximizing it’s space on shelf. Hilltop has won the golden fork at the great taste awards, ambient manufacturer of the year, Fast Track top 50 growing company in the UK and top 50 growth companies in Wales 4 years in a row.
Scott has managed to achieve high growth sustained over a long period of time whilst staying profitable. Scott used to enjoy the freedom of playing many hobbies like golf, football, rugby clay pigeon shooting where he shot for Wales and represented Wales in the World Cup, a self-confessed gamer and of course a beekeeper but now has 3 children all under the age of 5, so now watches all these great hobbies on the TV!