" Our expertise in sourcing and creating unique products to the highest technical standard has enhanced our customer’s sales and consumers choice "
About
Us
Brands Direct Group is proud to have brought a difference to quality, innovation and technical standards to our market place.
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Brands Direct Ltd, created in 1993 from the understanding of the changing food retail marketplace, a demand for greater innovation, speed to market and price competition to branded products which for years enjoyed exclusivity in their market sectors.
With a vast experience of international businesses, the founder Graham Kent formed his first company in 1993 that challenged International beer brands. Many of the UK beer brands had been brewed under licence in the UK with no real authentic taste or heritage. His aim was to offer a vast array of authentic international beers presented in consumer friendly packaging, bringing the International tastes to the UK consumer.
From the very beginning, exploring the international marketplace, understanding trends, and modern brewing methods, resulted in the success of the company.
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Their drinks portfolio now covers International and regional beers, Traditional and modern ciders, Spirits and Liqueurs.
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PROGRESSION INTO THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD MARKET
In 1996 after a long and intensive evaluation of other food styles and eating habits in different continents, Brands Direct launched into the snacking market with the first to market own label baked cereal bar range.
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Their progression in innovation of products, tastes and developing convenient packaging enhanced the food division into major growth.
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The team at Brands Direct have prioritised quality and the strictest technical standards as being key to there future. The ethos in their businesses has brought customer and consumer loyalty.
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Today, Brands Direct food division are proud to be one of the UK's largest suppliers of Private label Baby food Snacking and Free From Snacking.​​​
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Through the commitment of their company to retain local heritage, Brands Direct Group has invested in two sites throughout Essex to create luxurious Apartments for a variety of needs., with both short and mid-term stays available.
We have created a high-end affordable living experience in our fully furnished serviced apartments to create an unforgettable living experience. They are the perfect place to call home during your stay with us.
Meet the team and understand a little more about our companies!
Meet the Senior Team
Graham Kent
Group Managing Director
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Working from ground routes, shelf stacking in a grocery supermarket, to national merchandising for various blue-chip companies, then
succeeding through sales, marketing, regional & national man management, account director, sales director and finally managing
director of an international company, set the foundation to form his business.
1993 saw the birth of the company, establishing a UK presence within the grocery retail marketplace with first to market on various own
brand retail products, presented as a unique concept. The grocery retail sector then and today enjoys tremendous growth through the
success built by the company. Over 25 years later the customer loyalty is strong and growing.
With a goal to build new business in expanding product sectors through developing international cooperation in transforming new
ideas, Graham has gained a reputation as being a successful entrepreneur and market leader.
A very passionate person about business with an enormous drive to move the company forward, building the awareness and understanding of product longevity and foreseeing and new trends.
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Andy Crowther
HR / Legal Director
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As HR & Legal Director, Andy recognises that people are the heartbeat of any company and believes that everyone should have the opportunity to thrive.
Having previously worked in the international fashion market and controlling contracts across differing continents with multinational organisations, Andy is ideally placed to understand what it takes to make a company a great place to work, to have something that everyone shares and believes in and that everyone is working together towards as a common goal.
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With his focus on legal and ethical standards, Andy ensures the company is at the forefront our legal requirements.
Customer
Accounts
Vincent Schofield
Account Director
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Vincent Schofield is educated to BTEC National Certificate (Business Studies) standard.
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With over 25 years experience with Brands Direct Ltd
in various FMCG categories, Vincent has led our BWS category for the last nine years.
In depth product and market knowledge has enabled the Brands Direct Ltd BWS business to grow by over 300% during this period.
Tony Fosh
Account Director
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Tony is passionate about creating unique and sustainable products delivering outstanding performance results for the customer.
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His career has included working in a wide range of channels, including multiple grocers, wholesalers, cash and carry and convenience.
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Prior to joining Brands Direct Ltd in 2012, Tony has worked within a number of international organisations developing both Branded & Private Label portfolio.
Paul Turone
National Account Manager
Paul has worked as a National Account Manager and Trader for a market-leading UK food import company before joining Brands Direct in 2023.
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With over 7 years of combined account management experience and a proven track record of success working in own label, private label, agriculture, fast-moving consumer goods, and food import/production industries, Paul is currently managing the company’s portfolio of Own label Conventional Snacking Foods, Free From and Private Label Brands and is responsible to secure supply continuity and revenue growth by building trustworthy relationships with key customers.
Nicky White
National Account Manager
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Nicky is the newest Member of our Customer Accounts Team. Before joining Brands Direct he has previously worked as a Senior Account Manager for Direct Seafoods where his role was looking after key accounts, including High-End Hotels, Restaurants and Football Clubs managing and overseeing their order from beginning to end.
He has over 16 years of Sales Experience and is looking forward to bringing his experience and knowledge of Seafood to Brands Direct.
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Technical
& Product Development
Paul Seymour
Technical Director
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Paul has a PhD in chemistry and has over 15 years of experience in the Food and Drink industry. Paul has held roles in R&D, NPD and Commercialisation for major FMCG companies as well as B2B in multiple categories of food and drink, including RTDs, Spirits and soft drinks in markets throughout Europe, North America and Asia.
Paul is also trained in Food Safety, HACCP, risk assessments, quality control and project management. At Brand Direct Paul is responsible for the Technical Team as a whole and is focussed on the Drinks sector specifically.
Laura Walton
Technical Manager
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Alongside a BSc Hons in Bakery and Patisserie Technology, Laura has experience developing new and innovative bakery products and snacks, with a particular interest in the 'Free From’ sector.
Anthea Bloom
Senior Technical Manager
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Anthea is our lead Technical Manager focusing on baby and infant feeding. With over 30 years of technical, quality and NPD experience in the food industry along with various qualifications including HND, food safety level 4 and HACCP level 3, Anthea has a working knowledge of various processes, risk assessments and controls, and quality assurance.
Anthea works closely with our customers helping to develop their own label baby food ranges to promote healthy and good habits during early development, as well as working closely with our supplying partners developing new and exciting products and ranges.
Nigel Burton
Technical Manager
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Nigel has 35 years of experience in FMCG experience covering a number of roles including technical, marketing and commercial across a number of sectors including BWS, chilled, frozen and ambient food.
Entering the beer industry in 1989 Nigel has directly been involved in creating and developing various drinks capitalising on packaging trends for the take-home and on trade markets.
Having gained a wealth of experience from direct involvment with major world brands, Nigel thrives on the challenges of creating innovative market solutions.
Logistics
Team
Jonathan Ashdown
Director of Logistics
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Jonathan works as the Commercial & Logistics Manager at Brands Direct Ltd and is in his 15th year working with the business.
Working across all product categories Jonathan oversees the Logistics and Supply Chain departments and is responsible for the Implementation and management of stock forecasting, reconciliation, and inventory systems.
Jonathan’s other responsibilities include Transport
& Distribution Movements and consolidation, Costs, Invoicing, Duty and Customs compliance, where he provides a logical, organised, and systematic approach to his work. He has a built solid industry network which helps achieve maximum efficiencies for distribution.
His Commercial awareness allows him to build commercial offers for the sales teams whilst maintaining and Improving company margin objectives and ensuring all financial administration is maintained efficiently & accurately.
Saskia Ramsdale
Logistics Manager
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Saskia had 2 years of knowledge within the Freight Forwarding sector before joining Brands Direct in 2021. She has since gained more knowledge within the industry and responsibility coordinating the supply of stock, she has worked across all categories within the business however her main responsibility is Baby Puffs and Wafers, Cheese Sticks, Free From Cereals and Grape Nuts.
Saskia has built strong relationships with suppliers and hauliers to ensure the company fulfils its obligation to provide a first-class service to their customers.
Chantalle Johnson
Supply Chain Co-ordinator
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Chantalle has worked as a Merchandising and Administration Assistant for a Worldwide luxury brand before joining Brands Direct in 2023.
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With over 3 years of merchandising and admin experience within the retail sector Chantalle is currently coordinating the supply chain for the company’s portfolio of Own label and Private Label Brands Beers, Ciders and Spirits.
Responsible for negotiating and liaising with customers, suppliers, and transport companies to ensure satisfactory production and delivery of goods and service while holding an understanding of Import procedures, documentation and HMRC compliance.
Amanda Chambers
Logistics Manager
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Amanda joined Brands Direct in 2024 as a Logistics Manager, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience of over 30 years in the Shipping, Logistics & Supply Chain industries. Following the company’s Philosophy, Ethos and Values, she has a passion for setting goals to ensure efficiency and excellent Customer Service is achieved throughout the company.
Building upon customer and supplier relationships, negotiating freight & inland rates, forecasting, stock control, including reconciling stocks, are among the many processes that Amanda undertakes to make delivering these goals possible.
Hollie Fenner
Supply Chain Co-ordinator
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Hollie has spent 4 years in the Logistics, Air/Sea Freight Forwarding and Road Haulage sector before joining Brands Direct in 2024.
Hollie is currently coordinating the supply chain for the company’s portfolio of Own Label and Private Label Brands Beers, Ciders and Spirits. Responsible for negotiating and liaising with customers, suppliers, and transport companies to ensure satisfactory production, delivery of goods and service while maintaining an understanding of Import procedures, documentation and HMRC compliance.
Amelia Ray
Supply Chain Co-ordinator
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Amelia started her career within the Fragrance and Beauty industry, seeking a more challenging role she joined Brands Direct in 2024 as a Supply Chain Assistant.
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Amelia is a dedicated member of the Logistics team, who monitors the ordering process from receipt of orders through to delivery and invoicing with a keen eye for detail and high levels of accuracy.
Daily, she is building strong relationships by liaising with both our customers and suppliers and provides administration support to the team.
​Abby is the newest member of the logistics team and currently gaining an understanding of all areas of the business.
Providing direct staff support to the Commercial & Logistics Director whilst aiding with other administrative tasks when required to support the business needs.
Abby has a strong knowledge already in the packaging waste requirements and obligations of the business and how to maximise efficiencies within the supply chain.
Abby Johnson
Logistics Team Assistant
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Office
Management
Louise Clark
Office Manager
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Louise joined the company in 2004, originally starting within the Logistics department. She was soon recognised for her ability to manage company housekeeping, contractual arrangements, IT and communications.
In 2006 Louise was moved to an office management role and direct support to senior staff travel arrangements.
Today Louise is PA to the Group Managing Director and is also the overall general office manager.
