The Met Club

 

Mike graduated from the University of Bradford in 1970 with a degree in Applied Physics.  He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from that University in 1996.

 

Upon graduating he joined Mars Ltd, Slough where he spent four years in Production and Technical Management. Leaving in 1974 to start his own business.

 

The start-up business, a contract packing operation was sold in 1978 and Mike formed Normanton Foods, a specialist sugar packer.  In 1984 Hunni Foods was purchased.  Yorkshire Food Group was formed in 1987 as a holding company and the business grew through acquisition leading to a flotation on the London Stock Exchange in March 1993.  Subsequently the Group extended its interest in dried fruit and nuts by the purchase of part of the Del Monte operation in California.

 

In Oct 1997 the Group was refinanced by Rabobank, New York and seven weeks later they inexplicably withdrew their support, placing the business into Administration.

 

In 1998 Sucreco Ltd, was formed to import French sugar into the U.K.

 

In 1999, a 50% share in Agglomeration Technology Ltd, Knaresborough was acquired and the Company was turned round from a £500k loss into profits and sold in 2003.

 

Mike has recently completed a reorganisation of S. D. Parr Ltd, a Glace Fruit operation in Winsford, Cheshire.

 

In December 2007 he acquired Vegetarian World Ltd, a specialist canner of organic products.

 

Property Development

 

Founder and M.D of this parent company for the Yorkshire International Business Convention and now developing conventions in other regions of the U.K.

Dry stone walling, occasionally playing bass guitar in that well-known band “Mid Life Crisis” and as the ex. Chairman of Bradford Park Avenue Football Club – criticising referees from the safety of the touchline.