ORGANIC HERB TRADING - Key Persons
Angelo has worked for Organic Herb Trading for almost 10 years. Before joining us he was a marine in his native Portugal, a professional welder and even worked for the family funeral service. Having first come to Organic Herb Trading via a temping agency, he was quickly snapped up and in many respects epitomises the very essence of the company when it is at its best - he is very hard working, always has a smile on his face, has unrivalled milling and blending knowledge and is totally customer focused.
Job Titles:
- Stock Control & Planning Manager
Danial Moolman Stock Control & Planning Manager Dan is a career professional stock controller with a strong background in end-to-end supply chain management. Before joining Organic Herb Trading in early 2016 he worked in a range of supply-chain and distribution roles - both in the UK and South Africa. Dan not only manages Organic Herb Trading's stock he is also responsible for overseeing production planning, key customer account management for finished blends, and ensuring ongoing continuity of supply. Originally from South Africa, Dan moved to the UK in 2009. He is an outdoors enthusiast, keen mountain biker, avid rugby fan and of course, enjoys nothing more than a traditional South African Braai (BBQ).
Job Titles:
- Senior Customer Relationship Manager
Lis joined the sales team in 2015 shortly after moving to the South West from "Up North!" having previously worked in customer facing roles in Conservation & Land Management as well as in the UK textile industry.
Lis has always had a keen interest in horticulture & all things "botanical" so joining Organic Herb Trading was an ideal opportunity to become involved in the endlessly fascinating world of organic herbs & spices.
Outside work, Lis's interests remain in the natural environment particularly walking and sailing. She also enjoys weaving and she is currently developing her interest in natural dyestuffs and printing techniques on recycled textiles. She also rather enjoys a botanical G&T at the end of a busy week!
Heather is our longest serving team member, working for Organic Herb Trading for over 23 years, and efficiently manages the sales and purchase ledger, deals with account queries and customer payments.
Previously, Heather worked for an international leader in the hotel and airport retail and hospitality industry, and now resides just over the border in rural Devon with her family - husband, (grown up) children, chickens and dog.
Jane is The Exmoor Herbalist, and our consultant for herbs. She was inspired by her grandmother as a child, who brought plant medicine to life for her.
Through her own health challenges, Jane sought more natural alternatives and this helped her to pursue this path. Jane studied anthropology and sociology at Oxford Brookes University, a path of learning that further piqued her interest in working with plants as food and medicine and the use of indigenous flora for healing purposes in many cultures.
Jane has a passion for sharing knowledge and skills and in Autumn 2020 in tandem with the Plant Medicine School based in Ireland, set up a sister herb school here in Somerset, taking pleasure in mentoring and teaching alongside consultancy work commitments and private practice.
Jim Twine - Managing Director
Jim has spent almost his entire career working in the organic food and farming sector - having been born and brought up on his parent's biodynamic farm in Somerset.
He was recently asked about his role at Organic Herb Trading and having struggled to respond with clarity the consensus seems to be that he is largely responsible for composting the kitchen waste and making the tea!
Jon is a warehouse professional having worked over a decade in warehouse related roles in differing sectors.
Jon currently oversees all things warehouse at our Milverton site and is a very enthusiastic member of the Organic Herb Trading team.
Outside of work Jon enjoys days out with his family and is an avid Manchester United fan. He is also a keen fisherman and when time allows loves to fish along Somerset and Dorset coastline.
Jonas joined Organic Herb Trading in 2021 and is responsible for managing the production of tinctures and infused oils. He is passionate about making high quality tinctures and the connection it establishes between the herbs, the herbalist and the person using the herbs in the end.
Jonas' journey of learning about plants started many years back when he studied forestry and forest ecology. Since then, he has been involved with various growing projects, worked on herb farms, and spent a lot of time foraging for food and medicine.
In 2015 Jonas moved from Germany to the UK, and shortly after began studying herbal medicine with The School of Herbal Medicine. He lived and worked at Elder Farm, and as a student he started working for Roots to Health, a small herbal clinic based in Honiton, Devon, where he has been making herbal remedies for a few years and now works as a herbalist.
Outside of work, Jonas enjoys strolls through the countryside, a swim in the sea or cooking a tasty meal.
Job Titles:
- International Sales Manager
Karine studied International Business Trade in France, whilst doing short periods of training in Germany and Spain. She realised very early that, to do business worldwide, improving her English language skills was paramount. Karine landed in Hampshire in the mid 90s and never left.
Having been brought up on a progressive farm, her grandparents educated her about sustainability, environment and the importance of looking after the health of the soil and the animals. It then became a natural step for Karine to pursue working for a company like Organic Herb Trading, and she joined us in 2019.
Prior to this Karine's roles were focused on international sales (import and export,) customer service, and marketing
Karine is passionate about communication, loves languages, and boringly doesn't shy away from a good spreadsheet! Whilst not at work, she loves gaming and can also be found walking miles with partner Andy and her dog Onyx.
Job Titles:
- Brand Communications Manager
After nearly 20 years working around the world in advertising, branding, media, film, television and PR, Laura moved back to her home county of Somerset and began working on projects with Organic Herb Trading in 2015.
Those projects evolved to became part of a more strategic approach to communications, and Laura now leads efforts to effectively communicate Organic Herb Trading's position as the UK's leader in the organic herb, spice and botanicals sector.
With a love of branding, and food & drink, Laura naturally gravitates towards these things combined, so when the opportunity arose to work in her home county - based on a beautiful farm in the middle of the countryside - with a leader in such an exciting and innovative industry, it was too good to pass up.
Job Titles:
- Sales & Business Development Manager
Previous to joining the company, Maisie was a recruitment consultant in the industrial sector - during which time she worked on recruiting warehouse staff for Organic Herb Trading. This is where she gained sales knowledge and an understanding of office culture.
Prior to this she was a waitress which led her to a love of good food and cooking - in particular Middle Eastern dishes. Maisie also has a passion for art - she loves to paint and do photography in her spare time. Alongside this, she enjoys walks with her two Sprockers, Lenny and Pickle.
Maria has 30 years experience in the food industry having worked for a diverse range of food companies, including over 13 years at Sainsbury's in quality assurance and customer service. In addition to Maria's technical background she has also specialised in NPD, project management, trouble-shooting and spent eight years working in research and development - helping to bring new products to market through a number of mainstream UK retailers. Maria is an ISO9001 Lead Auditor and a member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health Officers. She also has over nine years experience of working with the BRC Food standard, which has consistently ensured that Organic Herb Trading has maintained BRC Food Grade A.
Maria leads all our quality, technical and NPD initiatives.
Danial Moolman Stock Control & Planning Manager Dan is a career professional stock controller with a strong background in end-to-end supply chain management. Before joining Organic Herb Trading in early 2016 he worked in a range of supply-chain and distribution roles - both in the UK and South Africa. Dan not only manages Organic Herb Trading's stock he is also responsible for overseeing production planning, key customer account management for finished blends, and ensuring ongoing continuity of supply. Originally from South Africa, Dan moved to the UK in 2009. He is an outdoors enthusiast, keen mountain biker, avid rugby fan and of course, enjoys nothing more than a traditional South African Braai (BBQ).
Job Titles:
- Supplier Relationships Manager
As our Supplier Relationships Manager, Matt manages the crucial relationships we have with our suppliers to ensure we are working together in the best way possible. Part of this is working closely with suppliers on quality issues to ensure all our products meet our rigorous specifications. He also plans our supply chains to ensure we have security in our supply, including initiating projects for growing plants specifically for us.
Matt came to Organic Herb Trading in October 2014, from the Environment Agency where he coordinated projects on water quality and land use and specialised in strategic planning. Previously he has also worked on climate change and agriculture policy for the UK government, managed projects for Transition Town Bristol and been an active member of the Soil Association for over 10 years. Matt has also seen the complex issues around development, climate change and agriculture first hand whilst volunteering in remote villages in Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas.
After entering into a life-changing health journey with his herbalist (Simon Mills) Matt became interested in the background of herbs and has found a natural home working with our suppliers at Organic Herb Trading, firmly believing in the phrase - Soil, Soul, Society.
Job Titles:
- Head of Business Development & Sales
Mike joined Organic Herb Trading at the end of 2014, following nine years at the Soil Association. For the last five years of his time there he oversaw the Food for Life Catering Mark, which he helped pioneer from an initial concept to over a million meals a day. The Catering Mark dramatically improved the quality, provenance and animal welfare standards of food served in schools, hospitals, universities, workplaces and care homes right across the UK.
Mike's passion is working with business and organisations that are genuinely committed to having a positive impact on people and the planet. It was the opportunity to work with Organic Herb Trading's customers that first attracted him to the business.
In his spare time Mike rides bikes, keeps bees on a local organic farm, digs an allotment, plays records, enjoys filling his lungs with fresh air and he is also partial to starting the day with a good cup of Organic Herb Trading's Oolong tea.
Nobody could say it better than Sebastian Pole in his book ‘Celebrating ten Pukka years,' (2012). Sebastian is the Co-Founder and Master Herbsmith at Pukka Herbs - he is also a great friend and supporter of Organic Herb Trading:
"Mike Brook is the epitome of an organic pioneer. He has helped Pukka source organic herbs and spices since our inception. With a far-reaching vision and a passionate determination to develop lasting relationships with growers, Mike is a leader in the British organic herb community. Sebastian spent a few formative years living in a caravan on Mike's organic herb farm. He knows what a hard worker Mike is and what hard work it takes to grow, harvest, clean and dry herbs. Mike has developed very efficient ways of growing herbs in the UK and has inspired a steady trail of enthusiasts to learn from him. He started by supplying herbalists from his organic herb field in Oxfordshire, and has transformed his business, the Organic Herb Trading Company, into supplying some of the leading organic food producers in the UK. Mike was the first person in the UK to import organic Chamomile, Ginger and Peppermint."
In addition to his day job at Organic Herb Trading, Mike has provided consultancy services for leading Non Governmental Organisations and ethical businesses including the ITC, Oxfam, CBI and Traidcraft. Mike has served on a number of prominent industry committees including the Soil Association Standards Board and was a founder member of the Union for Ethical BioTrade.
Nicola is one of our longest serving team members having worked at Organic Herb Trading since 2003.
Managing our dried herb and spice purchasing and importing since 2008, Nicola makes sure all of our products arrive into the UK safely and smoothly, by liaising with our suppliers, port health authorities and freight agents on a daily basis to ensure the strict regulations are met when importing certified organic products. As well as loving the challenge of sourcing our extensive range of dried products, finding unusual items for specific customer requests, and working closely with our huge range of suppliers in many different countries all over the world, Nicola is also the Soil Association licence holder for Organic Herb Trading.
Born and raised in the local area, Nicola enjoys walks in the countryside and on the beaches of Somerset and nearby Devon, music and dancing.
Job Titles:
- Quality Assurance Co - Ordinator
Having spent 15 years on a small farm in Exmoor running a holiday business and bringing up three children, Rachael and her family decided it was time for a change. So they left behind the fields and animals, and bought an old rectory which is a bit of a 'project' that keeps them very busy!
Part of this masterplan was that she could return to a role in food manufacturing, picking up where she left off prior to having children - and this is how Rachael came to be part of the Organic Herb Trading team.
Rachael has previously worked on products including cooked meats, pasta salads, ice cream, and tea, in a combination of quality and NPD roles, and is enjoying helping to maintain the high standards at Organic Herb Trading.
In her spare time, she enjoys creative hobbies such as crocheting, and due to her love of food, can often be found baking something.
Job Titles:
- Head of Purchasing & Supply Chain
Rachel joins us as a member of the Senior Management Team having spent 30 years working for manufacturing companies in Devon and Somerset in purchasing and supply chain roles.
In her position at Organic Herb Trading she is responsible for leading the Purchasing and Stock Control teams to ensure that customer demand is met on time, and in full.
Rachel grew up locally to Organic Herb Trading on the family dairy farm. In her spare time enjoys horse riding and is a dedicated Spurs fan.
Sarah studied Psychology and Sociology at the University of Reading and has had quite a varied career working in financial services, and as cabin crew. After this she decided to move into HR, and enjoyed working at the heart of businesses with a varied staff team.
Sarah is a great believer in fair trade, ethical supply chains and sustainability, which is what attracted her to working for Organic Herb Trading (as well as the beautiful setting!).
She moved to Somerset from Hampshire almost eight years ago with her husband and daughters, and loves the quality of life and countryside that is never far from the doorstep. In her spare time she enjoys a spot of gardening, sewing and spending time with her family and Border Collies, Pip and Willow.
Sarah is a committed organic grower with a wealth of experience. Over the years Sarah has worked on a biodynamic research farm in Northern India, helped lead Jekka McVicar's team to gold medals across the country - including the Chelsea Flower Show - and has also worked in commercial vegetable growing on an organic farm just outside Bristol.
In addition to Sarah's expertise - which ranges from plant propagation to the medicinal qualities of herbs and spices - she has a natural gift for growing, a great work ethic and really enjoys sharing all her knowledge. If all that was not enough, she is the first to arrive at any party and definitely the last to leave!
Job Titles:
- Import / Export Logistics Co - Ordinator
Virag joined Organic Herb Trading after working for more than 10 years in the logistics and freight forwarding industry where she gained experience in european road export and customs procedures, as well as looking after key logistics accounts, and mastering the art of making a round of drinks for the office.
She currently works closely with our Purchasing and Sales team to ensure Import and Export shipments run, sail and occasionally fly smoothly.
Originally from Hungary, Virag graduated in Communication & Media Studies, and worked as a radio show host and news editor at a local radio station before moving to the UK in 2010.
Outside work she enjoys gardening and outdoor activities such as hiking and bike rides with her partner and daughter, as well as indoor activities like watching the Great British Bake Off with a nice cup of tea. She is a huge fan of the Vegetarian English Breakfast and loves discovering and testing new places where this culinary sensation is served.