Board of Directors

The Food Northwest Board Of Non-Executive Directors is Chaired by Stuart Ross, former Supply Chain and Distribution Director for Tesco Stores Ltd and Former Joint Managing Director of Iceland, with operations managed by Chief Executive Patricia Foreman. 

Other members of the Board come from diverse backgrounds in the Food and Drink industry. Follow the links on the right to find out more.

• Stuart Ross

  Stuart Ross the newly appointed Executive Chair of Food Northwest, has over 20 years experience in the food and drink sector and was previously joint Managing Director for Iceland Ltd, responsible for supply chain, distribution, store operations, HR, appliance business, expert care and expert logistics. Prior to this Stuart held the position of Supply Chain and Distribution Director for Tesco Stores Ltd...more

• Richard O'Keefe

  Richard O’Keefe is the Managing Director of a Division of 3663, a food service company dealing with fresh meat, fruit and veg, sea food and chilled food. Richard is also a member of the British Food Corporation. ...more

• Will Cockbain

  Will Cockbain is a full time farmer and NFU spokesman on upland matters. Will is also the Northwest regional food and farming food champion, this is a part time post funded by Defra. Will was also a member of the Shadow Board. ...more

• Colin Turner

  Colin Turner is Managing Director of Dantech UK Ltd dealing with the engineering side of the Food and Drink Cluster. He is also a member of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Council and also the Danish Consul for the Northwest. ...more

• David Tomlinson

  David Tomlinson was the Technical Director of Warburtons up to three years ago before he retired. He maintains extensive links with the Warburtons family. David worked for Warburtons for 25 years during the extensive growth phase of the business and is also a member of the Greater Manchester Learning and Skills Council. ...more

• Michael Bell

  Michael Bell is Managing Director of the family business Bells of Lazonby that consists of three main companies a conventional bakery, and organic bakery and a bakery dedicated to special diets. Michael is also Chair of CREA and a board member of Distinctly Cumbrian. ...more

• David Owen

  David Owen has been working in the food industry for over 40 years starting work at Spillers, F Daniels, and at Kwik Save as the Purchasing Director prior to the take over by Somerfield. He is now working as a consultant and investor in food businesses and restaurants. ...more

• Helen Colley

  Helen has been in the business for over 20 years. In 1984, Helen set up her own catering company, which became one of the largest outside caterers in Lancashire. Helen is now founder and Managing Director of the makers of premium puddings and chilled desserts for supermarkets and specialist shops, Farmhouse Fare. ...more

• Paul Peachey

  Paul is Managing Director of the Wigan based Hitchen Foods, part of the larger Bakkovar Group. Paul joined the Food Northwest Board in March 2008. ...more