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Meet the Team

Food Drink Devon is a Community Interest Company governed by a Board of Directors who give their time for free. This legal structure means we can apply for more funding and we’re built from the ground up to serve and benefit you. Our aim is to support members from across Devon and raise the county’s culinary profile, while building a thriving community that benefits from sharing knowledge, networking and collaborating.

Your Day-to-day
Contacts

  • My favourite Devon find

    I love eating out and working for Food Drink Devon has enabled me to find and enjoy the best of freshly prepared and local produce offered by Devon's wonderful Hospitality businesses. It's great to find that unexpected gem, from the membership, in an 'off the beaten track area' and add it to my favourites list!
    Ali Neagle
    Awards Manager
    Ali looks after the annual Food Drink Devon Awards and can help you with any aspect of the awards.

  • My favourite Devon find

    I’m an avid cook and I love how many fantastic original producers, independent delis and farm shops there are in Devon. Whatever day trip I’m on you can always pick up incredible local produce, take it home and cook something delicious with it and of course a local tipple too!
    Kate Rippin
    Membership & Events Manager
    Kate looks after our existing members and is always on the lookout for new members to join our community. She also organises our many network and knowledge-sharing events. Kate's always here to chat about how to get the most out of your membership.

  • My favourite Devon find

    I'm a keen cyclist so always on the lookout for a good cycling pit stop in Devon's rolling countryside - could be a cafe, country pub, farm shop or even a vineyard. What makes a good one for me? Excellent coffee and fabulous cake. I'm quite partial to a cheeseboard full of lovely Devon cheeses too.
    Andrea Veale
    Social Media & Websites
    Andrea looks after our social media channels, sharing your news to our 40k followers, plus the news, features, offers and events listings on our members’ and main consumer websites.

  • My favourite Devon find

    Working with Food Drink Devon has opened my eyes to the wealth of premium drink producers in the county. The selection of award-winning drinks created here is outstanding. We are also spoilt for choice with stunning sea views and sipping a locally-produced tipple whilst soaking up a fabulous coastal vista has to be my most favourite thing.
    Kath Hope
    Communications
    Kath's focus is on creating Food Drink Devon's monthly newsletters, packed with your news, which she sends to our 22k subscribers; plus our useful bulletins for members full of news and resources.
The Food Drink Devon
Board of Directors

  • My favourite Devon find

    The inside and alfresco River Shack café on the quay at Stoke Gabriel serves an amazing Local Potted Crab, enjoyed with a pint of Hunts Cider whilst enjoying staggering views of the beautiful Dart Valley is Greg's perfect afternoon!
    Greg Parsons
    Chair
    Greg is a proud Devon lad and a food and drink veteran, with over 35 years experience in hospitality, production, marketing and commercial, working for international brands, SMEs and startups across all channels.

  • My favourite Devon find

    I love all the wide varieties of food and drink that Devon has to offer but I am particularly partial to a pie or pasty (or both) to eat at the beach.
    Michael Young
    Vice Chair
    Mike sits on the board of directors and is director and head of the Corporate Service Department at Peplows Accountants. He keeps a close eye on the FDD finances to make sure money is spent wisely for our members' benefit.

  • My favourite Devon find

    Enjoying a proper Devon cream tea by the coast (with cream on first, of course). But always keep one eye on the seagulls!
    Tom Chartres-Moore
    Board Director
    Tom sits on the Food Drink Devon board and is also an Intellectual Property Specialist at Stephens Scown LLP, enabling him to advise on any matters of a legal nature that arise.

  • My favourite Devon find

    I have lived just outside Exeter for 20 years. Devon’s sparkling wine scene is thrilling (and it’s giving Champagne a run for its money!). I love sipping our county’s fine fizz with our local seafood - quite simply it’s a brilliant pairing of local food and wine.
    Susy Atkins
    Board Director
    Susy is an author, presenter and wine writer with weekly drinks columns in the Sunday Telegraph and Delicious Magazine and a regular contributor to Food Magazine. She has made numerous TV appearances including being the wine expert on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen.

  • My favourite Devon find

    It is a really exciting time to see so many fantastic vineyards reaching maturity in the county. It turns out that our moderate climate and rich soils suit Vitis Vinefera perfectly. The Dalwood white from 2021 was a real treat and comes highly recommended.
    Jack Pickering
    Board Director
    Jack is a Board Director and brings a wealth of Hospitality and vineyard experience and knowledge to the board.

  • My favourite Devon find

    For those of us living or visiting Devon, how lucky are we? From clifftop sea view hotels to boutique and townhouse accommodation, with Michelin star dining to local, seasonal and organic fare, Devon is a county full of the best food and drink experiences in the UK. The secret of our quality produce and beautiful backdrop is out now, and more foodies are moving West, which is only good news. I'm excited about what comes next for our fantastic hospitality scene.
    Clare Bushby
    Board Director
    Clare is a Board Director of Food Drink Devon and the Managing Director of Clockwork Marketing. Clockwork specialises in hospitality and hotel marketing specific to the hospitality industry, their strategies have been maximising results for over 30 years.

  • My favourite Devon find

    For a special occasion, Acleaf at Boringdon Hall is fantastic. I’m also very partial to a local wine - Shoreline from Lyme Bay or Heron Farm’s 2018 Sparkling. But nearly everything home cooked on my plate gets a drop of something from South Devon Chilli Farm!
    Pete Falloon
    Sustainability Champion
    Pete sits on the Food Drink Devon board as a champion for all things sustainability, and his day job is at the Met Office leading work for Defra on climate change and food security.

  • My favourite Devon find

    I love discovering the amazing food and drink that is produced in Devon, whether that it through dining in one of the wonderful hospitality sites or browsing through the products on the shelves in the fantastic local Deli's and Farm shops.
    Amanda Ringelberg
    Board Director
    Amanda is a board director as well as being the founder and managing director of the Artisan Ice Cream company Granny Gothards. She has a wealth of experience in food production and exporting. Their award-winning ice creams can be found in the Middle East and Asia with more countries coming in 2024.

  • My favourite Devon find

    I have to say Ness Cove Beach in Shaldon holds a special place in my heart and in early summer sitting down there with some wonderful food and a local beer is perfection.
    Tom Lomas
    Board Director
    Tom is a Board Director of Food Drink Devon and also heads up Greendale Farm Shop. He brings a wealth of Retail knowledge and experience to the board.

  • My favourite Devon find

    As a Devon boy born and bred, Devon still surprises me with great food finds, whether it is Diver caught scallops from Lyme Bay or Fabulous wine and cheese from the Devon Valleys, every day is a day of potential discovery of a stunning food or drink product to enjoy.
    Richard Hunt
    Board Director
    Richard has formerly headed a variety of high-quality culinary operations throughout the UK from London hotels to exclusive private clubs and restaurants in his native Devon. He brings a wealth of culinary experience to the board.

  • My favourite Devon find

    Tim Ball
    Board Director
    Tim brings a wealth of knowledge of the drinks industry, with 25 years of being both behind and in front of bars around the world and has run bars at some of the worlds largest events (think Olympics). From being both behind and in front of bars around the world, our founder Tim Ball has learnt a thing of two about how to make a good drink.

  • My favourite Devon find

    Without a shadow of a doubt is the Eggs Champignon from Forest Fungi Farm Shop & Deli at Dawlish! Think eggs benedict but with mushrooms *chef’s kiss!* A brisk walk on the beach has to follow, a deep breath of sea air and a stormy wind to clear out the cobwebs – all makes for a perfect weekend ritual.
    Clair Harrison-Jones
    Board Director
    Clair is a Board Director of Food Drink Devon and has spent the past 5 years, alongside husband Scott, growing Shepherd Shack from supplying one deli counter to many across Devon. Previously, Clair has spent over 10 years in the Further and Higher Education sector supporting disaffected young people and championing their access to skilled education.

  • My favourite Devon find

    The coast is where I love spending all my spare time with family and friends. Enjoying restaurants that offer fantastic food and drink with views is usually top of my list to visit, and Devon provides this in abundance.
    Andrew Ward
    Board Director
    Andrew has dedicated nearly 20 years to serving the food, drink, and hospitality industry through his expertise in refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and catering equipment. With a wealth of experience, Andrew strengthens the connection between the food and drink sector and the businesses that can supply the essential services or support.