The Ouestionnaire – Jon Day

Jon Day, Business Development Manager at Riverford Organic, based at Sacrewell Farm.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
My very first job was a paper-round.

WHO HAS INSPIRED YOU AND WHY?
The founder of Riverford, Guy Watson, is an incredibly inspiring person. I was lucky enough to be at the recent BBC Food and farming awards where he was named Farmer of the Year. Guy’s commitment to organic, ethical farming where suppliers get a fair deal, has driven our business over the years. Where our competitors may have compromised on their principles, Riverford never has.

ARE YOU WHERE YOU  EXPECTED TO BE WHEN FIRST SETTING OUT?
Not at all! But I’m very glad I’ve ended up where I have. Riverford is a great company to work for, my colleagues are fantastic, and every day feels like I’m doing something new and exciting as well as doing some good in the world.

DO YOU LIKE TO PLAN, OR TO IMPROVISE?
I think a balance of both is the key to success.

WHAT’S THE BEST BIT OF BUSINESS ADVICE YOU EVER HAD?
Make sure you have a well- researched, robust business plan.

IF YOU WEREN’T IN THIS BUSINESS, WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING?
Teaching people to ski! A fantastic excuse to spend all day skiing.

WHAT ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE STARTING OUT NOW?
I think Riverford is a great case study for a business built on strong values and principles. The Riverford box scheme began when Guy started delivering vegetables locally to 30 friends in Devon. We now deliver around 40,000 boxes a week to homes around the UK from our regional farms. Guy has always been involved in farming and recognised early on the health impacts of working with chemical pesticides and fertilisers – not to mention the impact on nature. His drive to make organic farming work has not been without its ups and downs, but in the end he has proved that it can be done and how beneficial it can be for all parties. So my advice is to be unafraid of believing in a different way of doing things.

WHAT’S YOUR ULTIMATE AMBITION?
Ultimately our shared ambition as a business is helping more people enjoy organic food by making it more accessible and affordable.

WHAT ITEM WOULD YOU TAKE WITH YOU TO A DESERT ISLAND?
Can I take my family? If not it would have to be my laptop – I’d hate feeling unconnected from the world.

HOW TIDY IS YOUR DESK?
It’s pretty organised and tidy. All the items out are functional things that I’m using at the moment.

IF YOU COULD GO BACK AND DO ONE THING DIFFERENTLY, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
My degree was in modern languages which was fantastic because it allowed me to travel widely. If I could go back I think I’d add a business element to that degree.

IF YOU MADE AN UNEXPECTEDLY LARGE PROFIT, WHAT WOULD YOU USE THE MONEY FOR?
The great thing about Riverford is that our profits go back to the people who have helped make the business a success. In fact, Guy often talks about how he’d like the business to eventually become a full cooperative – owned by employees and suppliers.

www.riverford.co.uk

www.sacrewell.org.uk