Huw Thomas Managing Director, Puffin Produce

Huw is a farmer’s son from Narberth. He returned to Pembrokeshire to run Puffin in 2009. This followed 20 years in agriculture related research and strategy roles throughout the UK.

Puffin has grown rapidly but sustainably over the past fifteen years, with turnover growing from £6m to £50m and employee numbers from 50 to 250.

Puffin now has established long term supply relationships with Asda, Tesco, Aldi, Morrisons, Coop, Spar, Waitrose and M&S. It has developed the brand ‘Blas Y Tir’ that is well recognised by Welsh shoppers.

In recent years Huw has helped lead the development of Pembrokeshire Creamery, a £20m start-up investment in a BRC accredited milk bottling facility, also based in Haverfordwest. The aim of both businesses is to establish fair, transparent and efficient supply chains.

This is achieved by:

• developing strong partnerships with the major retailers
• investment in leading edge efficiency through factory automisation,
• concurrently developing stable and fair farmer contracts that encourage efficient and sustainable investment on farm.