BSc, MBA. Member Chartered Management Institute, Fellow Chartered Institute of Consultants

Kath has a unique mix of skills focussed on achievement, in a number of different environments. She has senior experience in strategic, general and sales management, as well as in management training and development. She has worked as coach and facilitator at executive level in large and small organisations.

Kath and her young family moved to the West Country in 1999. She soon fell in love with the countryside, the fresh air, the different way of thinking and the cheese!

Kath established The Cheese Gig www.thecheesegig.com, an award winning internet based retailer of West Country cheese. She met many small business owners who were producing fantastic products and making a difference in their own way. Kath sold the Cheese Gig in 2010.

In 2006 she established KmG Management Consultants Ltd. and worked with a number of food businesses to help them improve in a whole variety of ways. Examples include Dave Kittow of Kittow Cattle, who is a farmer selling meat boxes. Working together resulted in a 50% increase in box sales in 18 months. Not only that but Dave’s whole working environment and family life improved beyond measure.

Working with Neil at Bakers Cheese was a great joy as it involved a review of the position of his wonderful cheese in the block cheddar cheese market.Together we conducted a fabulous tasting event featuring more than thirty different cheddar cheeses. The feedback resulted in a clear picture of where Bakers cheese should be positioned in this highly competitive market.

Kath was delighted to have the opportunity to use her experience of rural businesses when The Open University asked her to author a 30 hour on-line unit addressing the challenges of running a small rural business.

It followed naturally that Kath should be a founding member of ‘The Food Team’ with a mission to support food and drinks businesses in the South West and beyond.

Gill is Director of Peppercorn Projects, a marketing and business development consultancy which she established in 2009.

Gill’s experience lies at the heart of marketing delivery and business support.

She has a track record as a successful project manager in a wide range of food and rural business initiatives. Gill has delivered a number of award winning and high profile projects within the food and farming sectors.

Gill produced a Distribution Tool Kit for food and drink producers bringing together the knowledge of logistic professionals and experienced manufacturers. The publication was later used by the IGD (Institute of Grocery Distribution) to produce its own Distribution Guide.

She previously worked for one of the leading regional food groups in the UK, leading on the provision of business advice, trade development and event management.

As an event manager Gill's experience is impressive. In particular, she is proud to have managed and help grow the Exeter Festival of Food & Drink, since inception in 2002 until 2008. In 2009 Gill was delighted to be asked to act in the role of consultant to PS8 Ltd, the festival's new management company, enabling a smooth transition for the event, which now regularly attracts over 15,000 visitors.

Gill held senior positions including Brand Manager, Marketing Manager and Commercial Development Manager in both public and private organisations.

Gill also plays an active role in the family livestock farm, marketing beef locally to consumers and assisting with the business development of its dairy goat herd.

Combining with Kath as the second founding member of ‘The Food Team’ results in a unique blend of skills and experience of which Gill is rightly proud.