The Ulster Wool management team develops strategy, drives key commercial initiatives and manages the day to day operations of the business. Click on the profiles below for more information.
Previously Director of Wool Sales & Producer Services Andrew was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in May 2021. A graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge and a Chartered Financial Analyst, Andrew worked in the city as an equity research analyst for 16 years prior to joining British Wool. Andrew lives in Holmfirth and, outside of work, rows for City of Sheffield and enjoys mountain biking with his family.
Farming in partnership with his two brothers, Brendan runs around 950 breeding ewes, including Mules and Romney’s, as well as 90 suckler cows on over 600 acres of grazing land. As well as being an active member of the UFU’s Beef and lamb committee, Brendan is also a member of the BISCA executive committee and a senior shearing judge as well as an advanced shearer in his own right.
Stephen has worked at the Muckamore depot for 17 years, and recently qualified as a Grader after completing the intensive training programme.
As Depot Managers, Stephen is committed to providing the highest levels of service to producers, from assistance with transporting wool into the depot, to sharing knowledge to maximise producer’s returns.
Andy joined British Wool/Ulster Wool in 2020 and is a Chartered Accountant having trained with KPMG in Leeds. Andy spent 15 years with KPMG mostly in audit, dealing with clients across multiple sectors and of varying sizes from billion turnover listed PLC’s, US or European groups, all the way down to local, small owner managed businesses. Andy also led the UK audit of Arla Foods for several years and therefore understands some of the dynamics of a farmer owned business. Andy left KPMG in 2014 to become Finance Director of a £35m turnover chain of bars and restaurants across the North of England in which he was responsible for all areas of finance, tax, legislation, reporting, and IT. Andy lives in Guiseley, Leeds and enjoys coaching his son’s football team, playing golf and cycling, when allowed.
Billy has been with British Wool & Ulster Wool for 35 years. First starting as a temp at the Paisley Depot (Scottish, English & Welsh Wool Growers). When the Depot then moved to a site in Glasgow, Billy was then taken on as warehouse operative, becoming an apprentice grader and progressing to the role of grader.
The Grading Depot then moved to Irvine where he became head grader, moving onto warehouse supervisor and Then Depot Manager.
Most recently Billy has been our Quality Control and Technical Manager where he also had responsibilities supporting Wool Sales and the auctions, progressing onto Head of Operations.
Gareth has worked for British Wool & Ulster Wool for 30 years, 14 years at the grading depot in Denbigh, and following a short spell working for the Farmers Union of Wales, returned to British Wool in 2008 as Producer Relations Manager.
The role has evolved during the last 16 years, and in his current role as Head of Member Engagement, Gareth is responsible for all member-facing activity including marketing, communications, stakeholder engagement, and customer service.
Gareth has extensive knowledge of the wool sector and the agricultural industry.
