Chris Browning
Managing Director
Chris has been Managing Director at Cottage Farms since 2003, he took on the ownership in 2006. Since then he has overseen the significant investment and progression of the business and is proud of the company's achievements. He has also been Chairman of the UK Topfruit grower group AGPO since 2016.
Nick Skinner
Warehouse/Capacity Manager
Nick joined the Cottage Farms team in March 2021 as the Warehouse Manager, he joined with over 20 years of experience in the produce industry having undertaken varying roles within Warehouse, projects, and operations. Nick spent 17 years working for a leading procurement, operations, and distribution company where he gained experience in leadership, people relations, compliance, and continuous improvement. In June 2023 Nick combined his role to include site capacity planning to support continued business growth.
Outside of work Nick enjoys spending time with his family, and in his spare time he loves to cook.
Russell Dare
QC Team Leader
Russell has over 20 years’ experience in the produce industry and joined the Cottage Farms team in March 2021 as a night stock quality controller. He transferred to days in February 2022 to support the QC team and shortly after became QC Team Leader. He spent the previous 15 years with one company supplying the Tesco Topfruit category, gaining an in-depth quality knowledge, and understanding of supplier, and customer requirements.
Outside of work, Russell is heavily involved in the psychological experiment of being a long-suffering supporter of Everton FC.
Juste Rasciauskaite
Compliance Manager – SHE & Food Safety
Juste joined CF in 2022 as a Compliance Manager covering both H&S and Food Safety standards. Previous experience gained in fresh produce & retail logistics businesses supports the site’s progression in placing compliance at the forefront of our priorities and creating a strong safety culture led from all colleagues. Outside of work Juste likes to relax by spending money on excessive number of plants, squeezing them into an already full garden and house and in the process trying to convince her husband that they have always been there.
Paul Keeble
Pear Ripening/Category Manager
Introducing Paul joined us in April 2020, bringing a wealth of experience, after 20 years in a ripening capacity with his previous employer.
In an ever-growing category, Paul is responsible for the quality management and ripening of Pears so they reach our customers in a ready-to-eat condition.
Outside of work, Paul likes to spend time with his grandchildren, is a keen tropical fish keeper, he loves a game of darts, and is an avid Yogi.
Richard Stock
Head of Operations
Joined Cottage Farms in January 2020 as our Head of Operations, Richard has spent most of his career in the fresh produce business starting from quality & technical management to leading the operations for one of the biggest fresh produce importers in the UK.
His inclusive approach in delivering positive change is aimed at people, process & cost optimisation to the business and suppliers with focus of delivering customers with highest quality products.
In his private life Richard is a keen athlete and he hons his skills every Wednesday playing pool for his local pub team.
Gin Psenaska
Operations Leader
Gintaras joined Cottage Farms in June 2020 as Operations Leader to manage packhouse operations. He has over 8 years of experience in the fresh produce industry working with Top Fruit, Berries and Citrus. Gintaras worked his way up from Line Leader to the Shift Operations Leader at one of the largest privately-owned food processing businesses in UK.
Karen Ellis
Office Manager
Karen joined the Cottage Farms team in April 2008 as the Office Manager, previously she worked for 10 years within a National Newspaper as an Office Manager. Having undertaken varying roles within the media industry she gained experience in Office management, leadership skills, people relations, finance, and administration.
Karen is responsible for all company accounts, payroll, and pensions at Cottage Farms.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and 2 children. She also enjoys walking and cooking.
Vaughan Batchelor
Operations Trainer
Vaughan joined Cottage Farms as a Warehouse Operative back in the summer of 2020. Since then he has progressed through the Warehouse as a Dispatch operative, Supervisor and in 2023 became the Operative Trainer for Cottage Farms. Before returning from his travels in India and Southeast Asia his skills lied in the tiling industry and retail sector.
With no previous experience in the produce industry, his positive attitude and drive have seen him excel himself at Cottage Farms, taking on any opportunity set in front of him. He has been through several courses since joining the company, including gaining a qualification as a Lift truck instructor.
When not lending his hand at Cottage Farms, Vaughan is a singer/songwriter and takes any opportunity to make as much noise as possible.
Brinley Cullen
Maintenance