INNOVATIVE FOOD INGREDIENTS - Key Persons
Carley joined IFI's rapidly growing team in 2023 as internal sales executive, having previously worked in the travel industry for 23 years.
The change of career direction has not fazed Carley at all, with her strong transferable skills and affinity for customer service quickly being put to good use in her latest role which involves helping our client base get the best out of our latest products and food ingredients.
Carley's experience and know-how allows her to quickly establish a positive rapport with clients. She thrives on building long term relationships and networks, as well as aiming to deliver exceptional customer service.
Outside of work, Carley loves to spend time in the Lake District National Park walking the fells or kayaking on the water. Family time is important too as she has three daughters and a grand-daughter. And when she gets the chance to join friends for a meal out, it's nearly always for a good fillet steak.
Chantelle's passion for quality food and hospitality has taken her career from training to be an accountant to becoming our commercial manager, having worked in a series of food and drink brand management roles in between.
Her experience has been underpinned by working for household brands and leading UK retailers including Tesco, Shop Direct, Alfresco Brands and Aldi.
She has significant expertise in working with clients to devise strategies, develop concepts and provide product solutions within the food and drink sector.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Owner
- Chairman of Trustees at the Boathouse Youth
- Managing Director at IFI
Born in Blackpool into a family where butchery is in their blood. David followed his dad Tom, himself a butcher, into the world of meat, meat ingredients and sundries.
In the early years, the hands on experience and guidance from his dad, helped to pave the way for a position as Regional Manager within the food ingredients sector. With a strong desire to introduce new ideas and products to butchers up and down the country, Innovative Food Ingredients was born in 2013.
Inspired by his dad, David has created a business that prides itself on being able to deliver exactly what the customer deserves. Whether that's a bespoke product, working tirelessly to ensure that all customers are 100% happy, his commitment to innovation or leading and mentoring a dedicated and enthusiastic team, he is completely committed to his customers and his business.
A dedicated family man; dad to four children and grandad to one, when time permits he enjoys playing golf, travelling and walking the dog!
David is also the Chair of Trustees at The Boathouse Youth in Blackpool where he is actively involved with fundraising and elevating the profile of the charity.
We are delighted to welcome Peter to our ever expanding team. He brings a wealth of butchery experience, great passion, enthusiasm and expertise. His role as Regional Sales Manager is an exciting one, where he will not only focus on demonstrating innovative added value and functional ingredient solutions to help support our customers but will also assist with technical, butchery and processing challenges. We strive to set ourselves apart from our competitors by putting the needs of our customers first and therefore structuring our business accordingly. Our latest appointment reflects our commitment to that core value and we are delighted to be able to support Peter's passion to Craft Butchery.
We were also delighted to see Peter featuring in a recent edition of Meat Management Magazine, discussing winning flavour trends for the BBQ this summer.
A passionate foodie, larger than life character and keen food photographer, Michael started working in his local butchers at the tender age of 13 years.
He must have impressed his colleagues at Burt's Butchers in Lancaster as he was offered a full time job and embarked on his formal training. Michael studied and acquired all his butchery skills not just ‘on the job' but also at Blackpool and Fylde College where he qualified and was recognised by The Chamber of Commerce Lancaster. Since then he has worked in several businesses including; Althams in Morecambe and Hornby Butchers.
Michael has extensive butchery skills ranging from breaking down carcases into primal cuts, recipe development and takes great pride in creating attractive added value displays in customer premises.
Outside of IFI, although he never really switches off! Michael enjoys DIY, socialising with family and friends and walking in the beautiful Cumbrian countryside.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Paul Graham joined the Team in 2020 and has quickly become a firm favourite among our customers and staff.
Paul's first butchery experience came in the late 70's, where as a young lad he helped his dad in a cash and carry butchery counter. At the age of 12 his parents purchased a butcher's shop in Morecambe, Lancashire and Paul soon began helping out. When he left school, he began to work full time at the family shop under the watchful eye of his Dad.
At 17, Paul joined the famous Dewhurst Butchers chain and worked for with them for 14 years. It was during this time that he won the prestigious Young Butcher of the Year award for the North West. He then embarked on self-employment and for the past 16 years, before being approached by IFI, had built a credible reputation in the sausage casings and tripe sector, selling across Lancashire and the North West.
Outside of work Paul is a loving father to three kids. He also likes to keep fit and has a passion for running and Muay Thai. Paul says: "I'm delighted to have joined such a friendly and forward-thinking team at IFI. I'm very much looking forward to the adventure."
Peter completed an Apprenticeship in Butchery and has held various positions within the industry and latterly at Ernest W. Edge and Son in Chester. He has achieved a string of accolades including: World Skills UK 2016 Gold, Meat Traders Journal Young Butcher of the Year and is now Captain of the Welsh Team, World Butchers' Challenge, due to take place in Sacramento, California in August 2021.