A growing Suffolk seeds business has appointed a new top team.

Mr Fothergill's Seeds of Kentford, near Newmarket, appointed a new chief executive Michael Yates, in January this year.

He is set to be joined by executive chairman Steve Parkin, chief marketing officer Sonila Troka and chief commercial officer David Harker.

Former commercial boss Mark Wootton left the business on October 16.

In February 2022, the £50m turnover seed firm - employing 250 workers - was snapped up in a £100m-plus deal in a management buyout backed by Harwood Private Capital - which took a "material minority shareholding" - and OakNorth Bank.

(Image: Simon Dewhurst) Then in the summer of last year, the private equity investor increased its shareholding of the company to take full control of the group.

The new leadership team at Mr Fothergill’s has more than 100 years of combined consumer experience in creating and growing brands across the world.  

Steve Parkin was previously chief executive of Tommee Tippee brand owners Mayborn Group for 17 years, while Sonila Troka has led brand and marketing at Loreal, Johnsons & Johnson (J&J) and Procter and Gamble (P&G). 

David Harker is from Salesforce Inc where he was a senior account director, having started his career in sales at P&G.

Mr Yates welcomed his new top team.

“The new leadership team brings a wealth of experience in transforming global and local consumer brands across a range of sectors, through both retailer partners and brand websites," he said.

"Together with a fantastic team of horticultural category experts, we are confident this new team gives us both the insights, as well as the capabilities, to rapidly grow our core brands of Mr Fothergill’s, DT Brown, Johnsons and Darlac. 

“The first stage of our transformation and acceleration programme will be this coming season, with brand relaunches and new product innovation across both UK and Australian retailers and DTC channels.”

Mr Yates added: “I want to thank Mark for his two years at Mr Fothergill’s.  He has contributed significantly to our retailer partnerships, and we wish him well for the future.”