I left school at 15 and worked at Sprinks Barn Farm, Dunstall as a student for Mr Don Higgott. That is the farm I now own.

Farming has been a theme throughout my career. I am passionate about farming and my own is an extensively run, beef, sheep and arable enterprise.

Cattle:
130 Blue Grey sucklers
20 Pedigree Aberdeen Angus cows
24 Pedigree South Devon cows

Sheep:
50 Pedigree Texels
650 Commercial ewes

Arable:
200ac of barley, wheat and oats in rotation with grass

I am a strong advocate of sustainable farming with minimum use of chemical sprays and fertilizers.

Property has also been a theme through most of my career, building a rental portfolio of residential and commercial properties.
I have been a Director for the past 18 years of St Modwen Properties PLC (a development company building distribution sheds and house builder).

Outside of my work at Dunstall Holdings I like to spend time on community work.

I was High Sheriff of Staffordshire 2011-12. The main purpose of the role outside of the legal duties is to promote the voluntary sector within the County. This sector is huge in any county with thousands of people actively involved in voluntary work for the benefit of others.

Trustee of Racing Welfare and Chairman of Racing Homes

I have recently stepped down from this role after 10 years. This is a great small charity helping people in the racing industry with physical and mental health problems, also a Housing Association for young people getting into racing and retirement housing.

Princes Trust

A truly amazing and inspiring charity that does so much for young people in the most deprived and diverse communities throughout the UK. I am very proud to have been a Patron of the charity for the last 5 years.

Staffordshire University

I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of the university in 2017. This was given to me for my commitment to getting people in Stoke into higher education and for my small part in the creation of business wealth and employment in the region. I was immensely proud to receive this and consider receiving the award as one of the proudest moments of my life.

Burton Addiction Centre

I am a Patron of The Burton Addiction Centre, which is a fantastic small organisation helping addicts become clean from addiction to drugs and alcohol. They work all over the Midlands but a real focus on Burton, Stoke and Cannock.

One striking fact is that for each addict 70 people are negatively affected so for each addict helped the wider benefit is huge.

Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society

I am currently President of the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society. This mainly centres around Staffordshire Showground and its 7 regions. The year pre-covid I started competing in ploughing matches. Let’s just say there is plenty of room for improvement but will be trying again this year!

Hobbies

Horse Racing

I love watching jump racing and I have a couple of slowish horses in training. The highlights of my horses have been Nacarat, a grade 1 winning chaser and Module who gave me my first Cheltenham winner and was 3rd in the Queen Mother Chase at the Festival.

Sailing

I love sailing the South West coast of England and on a calm sea it is great for the soul.

Shooting

I have always had a passion for shooting and not just the shooting beating and watching the dog’s work. Dogs have been a major part of my life and I work my Labrador, Favourite Foxy and my springer spaniel, Tara Darling whenever I can. I also enjoy working my sheep dogs Lyn and Maisie – Maisie is probably trial standard, but I am not as a handler.

Covid Achievements

During lockdown one, I went a little feral, grew a beard (which itched like mad), grew my own veg and learnt to cook. I can wholeheartedly recommend the veg and the cooking but not so sure about going feral.

Jane has had a wide and varied business experience. She worked for the NHS as a Speech Therapist. After completing an MBA, she was Commercial Manager of Uttoxeter Racecourse before becoming a Non-Executive Director of Northern Racing PLC.

As well as bringing her varied business experience to Dunstall Holdings, Janes primary area of interest is marketing and communications.

She also currently manages a portfolio of small business investments, including rental properties, agricultural property and holiday lets.

Ian has worked in the commercial vehicle industry for 45 years in various capacities and with various manufacturers inc. Seddon Atkinson, ERF, Isuzu Truck, Tata, Mercedes-Benz, VW, Daf and Mitsubishi Fuso. He has always performed within the top quartile for that franchise.

As a NED of Dunstall Holdings, Ian brings a wide commercial experience to the board.

John is a highly experienced dairy farmer who has extensive knowledge of the agricultural industry and of the needs and challenges facing the modern farmer and agri-business.

Stephen is a highly experienced Managing Director currently operating in this role for Everards Brewery Limited. Having responsibility for commercial property, manufacturing processes, retail and distribution operations, Stephen will bring a wealth of knowledge to the board. 

During his 24 years in the brewing industry Stephen has been responsible for the acquisition of pubs, led planning strategies for growth both in terms of businesses development along with asset and land growth. Stephen will bring a vast experience to the Group and will be a huge help in driving the strategy and the future development of the whole company.