We are extremely fortunate to be based in the beautiful and inspiring rural landscape of the Dee Valley in North Wales.
Specialising in the business-to-business trading of bulk dairy ingredients, SPEAR was established in 2008 by Nick Philpott and is still family owned and run.
We are all about balancing the market – helping producers and manufacturers manage their product excess or shortfall, placing it to achieve the best value while reducing any chance of waste.
As would be expected in the industry, our clients confidence in our business practices and quality systems is essential: Which is why we have held organic accreditation to EC Regs 834 & 889 since 2011, are certified by Organic Farmers & Growers, and have attained the AA standard of BRC Agents & Brokers accreditation for the last 5 years. We strive for ‘best practice’ in all our activities being members of Campden BRI, the British Chamber of Commerce and the Provisions Trade Federation.
You can find copies of the certificates under Technical Data on this site alongside numerous product data sheets.
We are extremely fortunate to be based in the beautiful and inspiring rural landscape of the Dee Valley in North Wales.
Specialising in the business-to-business trading of bulk dairy ingredients, SPEAR was established in 2008 by Nick Philpott and is still family owned and run.
We are all about balancing the market – helping producers and manufacturers manage their product excess or shortfall, placing it to achieve the best value while reducing any chance of waste.
As would be expected in the industry, our clients confidence in our business practices and quality systems is essential: Which is why we have held organic accreditation to EC Regs 834 & 889 since 2011, are certified by Organic Farmers & Growers, and have attained the AA standard of BRC Agents & Brokers accreditation for the last 5 years. We strive for ‘best practice’ in all our activities being members of Campden BRI, the British Chamber of Commerce and the Provisions Trade Federation.
You can find copies of the certificates under Technical Data on this site alongside numerous product data sheets.
(Commercial, Technical & Corporate)
Nick has worked in the UK Dairy Industry since 1979, in a variety of roles including technical, production, general and commercial management before starting SPEAR in 2008.
Nick is a life-long DIY enthusiast and can be regularly found working on or around the ‘project’ that is his converted 1850’s row of potting sheds that he calls home.
(Commercial, Technical & Corporate)
Nick has worked in the UK Dairy Industry since 1979, in a variety of roles including technical, production, general and commercial management before starting SPEAR in 2008.
Nick is a life-long DIY enthusiast and can be regularly found working on or around the ‘project’ that is his converted 1850’s row of potting sheds that he calls home.
(Finance, Administration, HR & QMS)
With a background in customer service, retail management and teaching, Naomi joined SPEAR in the latter half of 2011, moving to North Wales to join a then fast-growing family business within the accounts and administration processes.
Her Dairy Industry experience has grown with the business over the years, her knowledge expanding through additional training to accommodate the area’s most in need of support.
Now with extensive financial knowledge, she is also a Food Safety & HACCP Level 3 Team Lead, an Internal Auditor, and the General Manager of our SPEAR Team.
Naomi is an avid reader, writer, and jujutsu enthusiast, currently holding a blue belt with Shinpi Izumi and a yellow belt with Shin Gi Tai Aiki Jujutsu schools, respectively.
Where her education was grounded in art, drama, and music she now pools those interests into her voluntary work with local theatre groups such as the XX Club and the Llangollen Operatic, designing and building sets for their annual performances, and time allowing – occasionally branching out to tread the boards herself when the urge arises.
She loves the outdoors, enjoying long walks with her collie, Enid, in the beautiful North Wales countryside.
(Finance, Administration, HR & QMS)
With a background in customer service, retail management and teaching, Naomi joined SPEAR in the latter half of 2011, moving to North Wales to join a then fast-growing family business within the accounts and administration processes.
Her Dairy Industry experience has grown with the business over the years, her knowledge expanding through additional training to accommodate the area’s most in need of support.
Now with extensive financial knowledge, she is also a Food Safety & HACCP Level 3 Team Lead, an Internal Auditor, and the General Manager of our SPEAR Team.
Naomi is an avid reader, writer, and jujutsu enthusiast, currently holding a blue belt with Shinpi Izumi and a yellow belt with Shin Gi Tai Aiki Jujutsu schools, respectively.
Where her education was grounded in art, drama, and music she now pools those interests into her voluntary work with local theatre groups such as the XX Club and the Llangollen Operatic, designing and building sets for their annual performances, and time allowing – occasionally branching out to tread the boards herself when the urge arises.
She loves the outdoors, enjoying long walks with her collie, Enid, in the beautiful North Wales countryside.
(TRADING, LOGISTICS & COMMERCIAL)
Adam is the most recent addition to our team and comes with many years of experience in the Dairy industry on the transport side of operations.
He started as an HGV driver at 22 years old and worked his way through the ranks into Transport Management and became the Operations and Planning Manager covering 3 large sites in the UK. Therefore, has a vast amount of knowledge in an essential sector that the industry could not exist without.
Based in Somerset, an area rich in production for the UK Dairy Industry, his role is as a Trader.
This is the vital part of our client interface within the industry. Being integral to UK Dairy product movements gives Adam a unique position to comment on market developments and pricing thus helping our clients manage their company’s product flows.
He is Food Safety & HACCP Level 2 trained, progressing to Level 3, and a part of the SPEAR HACCP Team.
Adam enjoys Football, Rugby, Gardening and performing the various DIY tasks set for him by his wife.
(Trading, Logistics & Commercial)
Adam is the most recent addition to our team and comes with many years of experience in the Dairy industry on the transport side of operations.
He started as an HGV driver at 22 years old and worked his way through the ranks into Transport Management and became the Operations and Planning Manager covering 3 large sites in the UK. Therefore, has a vast amount of knowledge in an essential sector that the industry could not exist without.
Based in Somerset, an area rich in production for the UK Dairy Industry, his role is as a Trader.
This is the vital part of our client interface within the industry. Being integral to UK Dairy product movements gives Adam a unique position to comment on market developments and pricing thus helping our clients manage their company’s product flows. He is Food Safety & HACCP Level 2 trained, progressing to Level 3, and a part of the SPEAR HACCP Team.
Adam enjoys Football, Rugby, Gardening and performing the various DIY tasks set for him by his wife.
Nii is a member of our trade and logistics team, he has worked in the food and beverage industry for 5 years as a technical coordinator.
Since joining SPEAR he has trained in Food Safety Culture, Internal Audits, Allergen Awareness, TACCP/VACCP, HACCP Level 2 and Customs Procedures achieving his Diploma in Advanced Customs Compliance with the UK Customs Academy. He is our ‘go to’ person on all matters relating to Import and Export procedures.
He is multi-lingual, being fluent in English, French, Ga, and Twi, and is a martial arts enthusiast training in multiple disciplines.
Nii is a member of our trade and logistics team, he has worked in the food and beverage industry for 5 years as a technical coordinator.
Since joining SPEAR he has trained in Food Safety Culture, Internal Audits, Allergen Awareness, TACCP/VACCP, HACCP Level 2 and Customs Procedures achieving his Diploma in Advanced Customs Compliance with the UK Customs Academy. He is our ‘go to’ person on all matters relating to Import and Export procedures.
He is multi-lingual, being fluent in English, French, Ga, and Twi, and is a martial arts enthusiast training in multiple disciplines.
Joan has 21 years’ experience working in the food industry in key roles within sales and administration.
Since joining SPEAR she has trained in Food Safety Culture, Internal Audits, Allergen Awareness, TACCP/VACCP and HACCP Level 3.
She is our Quality Systems Lead and supports our business’ trading administration.
Joan is a fitness, wild water swimming, and prosecco enthusiast, especially at weekends.
Joan has 21 years’ experience working in the food industry in key roles within sales and administration.
Since joining SPEAR she has trained in Food Safety Culture, Internal Audits, Allergen Awareness, TACCP/VACCP and HACCP Level 3.
She is our Quality Systems Lead and supports our business’ trading administration.
Joan is a fitness, wild water swimming, and prosecco enthusiast, especially at weekends.
Afreen serves as our Accounts and Finance Manager, bringing to the table over eight years of extensive experience in the corporate finance sector at an international level.
With a solid academic foundation and a career marked by strategic financial management, she is a pivotal part of our team.
She holds an excellent educational background with M.Com in Accounting and Finance, an MBA in Finance, and an MSc in Finance and Management from prestigious universities, underscoring her commitment to excellence and continuous learning.
Since Joining SPEAR in November ‘23 she has attained HACCP & Food Safety Level 2 and is scheduled to support our robust QMS as an internal auditor.
When not driving financial performance and supporting business growth, Afreen enjoys exploring new places; appreciating the landscapes North Wales has to offer (though perhaps not the rain) and the architecture of the local cities. Now living in Manchester, she is the second member of our team to be based remotely from SPEAR HQ. She endeavours to give mankind a little required peace where she can.
Afreen serves as our Accounts and Finance Manager, bringing to the table over eight years of extensive experience in the corporate finance sector at an international level.
With a solid academic foundation and a career marked by strategic financial management, she is a pivotal part of our team.
She holds an excellent educational background with M.Com in Accounting and Finance, an MBA in Finance, and an MSc in Finance and Management from prestigious universities, underscoring her commitment to excellence and continuous learning.
Since Joining SPEAR in November ‘23 she has attained HACCP & Food Safety Level 2 and is scheduled to support our robust QMS as an internal auditor.
When not driving financial performance and supporting business growth, Afreen enjoys exploring new places; appreciating the landscapes North Wales has to offer (though perhaps not the rain) and the architecture of the local cities. Now living in Manchester, she is the second member of our team to be based remotely from SPEAR HQ. She endeavours to give mankind a little required peace where she can.
Catherine worked in customer service and administration management in the pharmaceutical and hospitality industries before joining the trading and logistics support team at SPEAR in 2018.
Now as an integral part of the accounting and back-office support team, she is HACCP & Food Safety Level 2 trained and an Internal Auditor.
Catherine likes to spend her free time walking her Jack Russell Terriers, beachcombing, and enjoying a glass of real ale at the local pub.
Catherine worked in customer service and administration management in the pharmaceutical and hospitality industries before joining the trading and logistics support team at SPEAR in 2018.
Now as an integral part of the accounting and back-office support team, she is HACCP & Food Safety Level 2 trained and an Internal Auditor.
Catherine likes to spend her free time walking her Jack Russell Terriers, beachcombing, and enjoying a glass of real ale at the local pub.
Nicky recently joined SPEAR in April ‘24 and supports the Trading and Logistics functions, front lining the business’ fundamental load agreements and reconciliation process.
Prior to joining Spear, Nicky gained an extensive background in Finance and Payroll and has spent her career working for businesses ranging from Global Financial Companies through to smaller local businesses. More recently, Nicky challenged herself to learn to drive a Class 1 HGV and now drives for a Car Race Team on her days off.
In her free time Nicky loves to ride her motorbike on days out with plenty of coffee stops. She also spends her time with her dog Poppie who is known to come into the office for the day for snacks!
Nicky recently joined SPEAR in April ‘24 and supports the Trading and Logistics functions, front lining the business’ fundamental load agreements and reconciliation process.
Prior to joining Spear, Nicky gained an extensive background in Finance and Payroll and has spent her career working for businesses ranging from Global Financial Companies through to smaller local businesses. More recently, Nicky challenged herself to learn to drive a Class 1 HGV and now drives for a Car Race Team on her days off.
In her free time Nicky loves to ride her motorbike on days out with plenty of coffee stops. She also spends her time with her dog Poppie who is known to come into the office for the day for snacks!
Our newly created Capel Hermon Business Centre is now fully operational and Covid prepared, including heat sensing camera for access control, offering offices, conferencing and hot desking facilities.
Our new home providing the infrastructure and ambience to cope with hectic trading and post EU Exit customs administration. Allowing us to maintain the professionalism and unrivalled commitment appreciated by our clients.
Our newly created Capel Hermon Business Centre is now fully operational and Covid prepared, including heat sensing camera for access control, offering offices, conferencing and hot desking facilities.
Our new home providing the infrastructure and ambience to cope with hectic trading and post EU Exit customs administration. Allowing us to maintain the professionalism and unrivalled commitment appreciated by our clients.