Doug Henderson - Chairman
Appointed Chairman in October 2004, Doug Henderson was formerly Chief Executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC) and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role.
The FPC is the trade association that represents the interests of retailers, wholesalers, importers and packers of fresh produce in the UK. Prior to this, he was for 21 years a director of Geest plc.
He is a former Vice-President of Freshfel, the European fresh produce association; a Director of the UK government’s Plant Science Institute, Horticulture Research International and a visiting Fellow of Cranfield University.
Awarded the MBE for his contribution to the industry, his services have also been recognised with an Honorary Fellowship of the University of Wales.
Dani Shaw - General Manager
Dani was appointed to MDS Ltd as General Manager in May 2005 and joined MDS Ltd from Unilever where she was a food microbiologist. Her experience includes food safety and hygiene and she specialised in operational audits in the fresh produce field.
Dani has also studied to PhD level and gained a doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry. Dani believes that MDS Ltd offers an ideal route to management for graduates. “It offers such an amazing opportunity to try out and gain experience in a number of different roles in such a wide range of fields in a relatively short space of time” and adds she wishes she had such an opportunity!
Saffy Connolly - Development Manager
Saffy was appointed as Development Manager to MDS Ltd in May 2005 and brings strong interpersonal skills developed during a successful career in welfare and social work, most recently in the Probation Service and prior to that, in the RAF.
Saffy has a Bsc in Criminal Justice studies and a BA in Social Science and Social Policy. She was attracted to MDS Ltd by its commitment to helping young people reach their potential.
Maggie Robinson - Office Manager
Maggie was appointed as Office Manager to MDS Ltd in January 2008. She had previously worked for the Probation Service as a Courts Administrator and prior to this she worked for Pearl Assurance PLC for 14 years as a Data Protection Project Co-ordinator.
Maggie has strong personnel and administration skills which are essential as she is often the first point of contact at the office. She also attends many of the careers and recruitment fairs around the country.
The MDS team
Chairman
Doug Henderson - Chairman
Directors
- Charles Cowap (Work Based Learning Director) Harper Adams University College
- John Currah (Supply Chain Director) G’s Marketing Ltd
- Toni Direito (Commercial Director) Dole Fresh UK Ltd
- Beverley Dixon (HR Director) Shropshire Group
- Andy Ferguson (Group HR Manager) Greenvale AP
- Mark Haynes (Managing Director) Produce Global Solutions (associate company through G’s Marketing)
- Julius Joel (Managing Director) M D Greens of Soham Ltd (part of Spearhead International Ltd) also former MDS Ltd trainee who joined the board in 1999
- Matt Melough (Commercial Finance Project Manager) Greenvale AP
- Duncan Worth (Chairman) QV Foods Ltd, a former MDS Ltd trainee who joined the board in 2003
The Role of the Board
- To ensure MDS Ltd continues to meet the needs both of member companies and the trainees in which the industry is investing.
- The board represents the entire membership and provides strategic advice to the management team, as well as guidance on the changing nature of the industry.
- The board controls the budget and level of fees, and is ultimately responsible for the admission of new members.