High flier buys into 'real' food market (From Gazette & Herald)

High flier buys into 'real' food market

IT'S a case of jam today for a high-flying executive who swapped a career with top companies for making the best of the fruits of the land, in the heart of the North Yorkshire countryside.

Richard Williams, a former director of Dunlop Tyres, has put half a million pounds into realising his dream of developing a "real" food business manufacturing jams, chutneys and sauces to traditional and exotic recipes.

Such is the quality of his home-made produce that customers include world class hotels like The Ritz in London, Gleneagles Hotel in Scotland, Sofitel St James Hotel, London, and its sister hotel the Grand Demeure in Amsterdam.

Demand is also strong amongst fine food shops and delicatessens, and Harvey Nichols in Leeds serves his preserves in its caf.

Now Richard has relocated the business to a former farm on the outskirts of Crayke near Easingwold, where a £500,000 investment programme is taking place.

The farm is part of the Crayke Estate, and negotiations for acquiring the lease were carried out on Richard's behalf by York law firm Harrowell Shaftoe.

Less than a year after buying the family-run Farmhouse Preserves company, which was previously based in Darley near Harrogate, Richard has increased growth by 35 per cent, and is now embarking on an expansion plan that will create 15 new jobs.

Richard, assisted by his daughter Laura and son Jack, has invested in a new kitchen workshop at Mill Green Farm, and work is currently underway building a shop, bistro, courtyard market and herb garden, ready for opening at Easter.

Richard, whose career also included a spell as production director at furniture manufacturer MFI, said: "It's been quite a career change, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. I have always enjoyed cooking for my friends and family, and it's been great fun using my love of cooking to run such a contrasting business."

Farmhouse Preserves had been operating for 25 years before it was acquired by Richard.

"The former owners built solid foundations for the business, and I have been able to increase the product range and step up the marketing," said Richard.

Best-selling lines include strawberry jam made with whole strawberries and lemon curd made with Crayke butter and fresh farm eggs. New recipes include wild blueberry and lavender jam and raspberry, redcurrant and rose petal jam.

"It was a big decision to relocate to Crayke, but the process has been made easier by the support of Harrowell Shaftoe and Crayke Estate, and we have had a warm welcome from local people."

James Scott, commercial property partner at Harrowell Shaftoe, said: "We were really pleased that Richard was able to draw on our legal expertise in rural enterprise and property development to help him develop his new venture, which promises to bring additional services and employment to this part of North Yorkshire."

Updated: 14:42 Wednesday, March 29, 2006