Senior Leadership Team

Chief Executive Officer

Andrew Hogley

Previously Director of Wool Sales & Producer Services Andrew was appointed as Chief Executive Officer in May 2021. A graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge and a Chartered Financial Analyst, Andrew worked in the city as an equity research analyst for 16 years prior to joining British Wool. Andrew lives in Holmfirth and, outside of work, rows for City of Sheffield and enjoys mountain biking with his family.

01274 688666
[email protected]

Chief Finance Officer

Andy Whelan

Andy joined British Wool in 2020 and is a Chartered Accountant having trained with KPMG in Leeds. Andy spent 15 years with KPMG mostly in audit, dealing with clients across multiple sectors and of varying sizes from billion turnover listed PLC’s, US or European groups, all the way down to local, small owner managed businesses. Andy also led the UK audit of Arla Foods for several years and therefore understands some of the dynamics of a farmer owned business. Andy left KPMG in 2014 to become Finance Director of a £35m turnover chain of bars and restaurants across the North of England in which he was responsible for all areas of finance, tax, legislation, reporting, and IT. Andy lives in Guiseley, Leeds and enjoys coaching his son’s football team, playing golf and cycling, when allowed.

Tel: 01274 688666
Email: [email protected]

Head of Operation

Billy Hewitson

Billy has been with British Wool for 35 years. First starting as a temp at the Paisley Depot (Scottish, English & Welsh Wool Growers). When the Depot then moved to a site in Glasgow, Billy was then taken on as warehouse operative, becoming an apprentice grader and progressing to the role of grader.

The Grading Depot then moved to Irvine where he became head grader, moving onto warehouse supervisor and Then Depot Manager.

Most recently Billy has been our Quality Control and Technical Manager where he also had responsibilities supporting Wool Sales and the auctions, progressing onto Head of Operations.

Head of Member Engagement

Gareth Jones

Gareth has worked for British Wool for 30 years, 14 years at the grading depot in Denbigh, and following a short spell working for the Farmers Union of Wales, returned to British Wool in 2008 as Producer Relations Manager.

The role has evolved during the last 16 years, and in his current role as Head of Member Engagement, Gareth is responsible for all member-facing activity including marketing, communications, stakeholder engagement, and customer service.

Gareth has extensive knowledge of the wool sector and the agricultural industry.

Director of Marketing

Graham Clark

A Masters graduate in Marketing, Graham joined the company in April 2017 from a background in joinery and kitchens. Originally from Cumbria, he has significant experience in selling and marketing products into the retail arena having worked with independent and national retailers, e-tailers and builders merchants.

Graham also brings expertise in digital marketing for both B2B and B2C and has responsibility for shaping and implementing the marketing strategy of the company.

Head of IT

Richard Saville

Richard is an accomplished and passionate IT professional with over 20 years’ experience, a BA (Hons) degree in Computing and Business and certifications from Microsoft, VMware and ITIL. Richard has worked in a number of different industries including manufacturing, processing and finance.

Richard is focussed on the delivery of technology based solutions and projects that benefit British Wool and our wool producers.

Outside of work, Richard enjoys walking, running and cycling.

Head of People

Sarah Kershaw

Sarah joined the organisation in 2004 on a fixed-term contract as a Personal Assistant to the then Chief Financial Officer. Upon the successful conclusion of this contract, Sarah transitioned into the HR function as the HR Administrator, where she developed her expertise in people management.

Demonstrating a commitment to professional development, she pursued and achieved her CIPD qualification at Huddersfield University, graduating in 2012. Her dedication and contributions to the business led to her promotion to Head of People in 2021. In this role, she oversees the full HR cycle across all company sites, ensuring best practices in employee relations.