The Main Board

Agreeing strategic direction

Our Main Board agrees the strategic direction of our business.

Guy McCracken took over as chairman in March 2010. With a series of executive posts across the retail sector spanning four decades, including chief executive of food retail for The Co-operative Group, chairman of Duchy Originals Ltd and several high profile roles with Marks and Spencer, Guy has a wealth of knowledge of the food sector.

Graeme Beattie joined Branston in 1982 and became managing director six years later. Graeme was instrumental in gaining the Tesco account in 1990 and has overseen the development and growth of the business including a number of strategic acquisitions.

Julie McTurk joined us in 1993 and was promoted to finance director in 1997. She combines this role with that of company secretary and is responsible for all financial and legal matters within the company.

John Ward is a grower shareholder, with responsibility for grower liaison. He became part of the Branston family as one of nine North Lincolnshire growers who joined us in 1989.

John Lockwood is another grower shareholder, supplying a significant volume to our Lincoln site. He’s also our financial expert, and is chairman of both the Audit and Remuneration Committees.

James Dean is from one of the original families who started our business and they’re still a big supplier to our Lincoln site. James is responsible for property, marketing, entertainment and PR, as well as sitting on the Remuneration Committee.

Mark Willcox joined us from McKinsey & Company in 2003, after having led a 16-week lean production transformation project for us. As development director, he’s responsible for our continuous improvement and innovation, as well as overseeing our Prepared foods division.

• Who we are
  • The Main Board
  • The Executive Board
  • The Branston team
• What we do
  • For our suppliers
  • For our customers
  • For our consumers
• Where we do it
  • Lincoln
  • South West
  • Scotland
  • Prepared foods
• How we do it