Tony joined Elsoms straight from Spalding Grammar School and worked with us until his retirement in 2005, over four decades of service. He began in the warehouse before moving into the seed department under Ron Moorhouse, eventually succeeding him as Vegetable Seeds Director, a role he held for more than 20 years.
Tony was widely known and respected across the UK vegetable industry, particularly within the carrot sector. During his leadership, Elsoms grew its market share significantly, much of which can be attributed to his deep technical understanding, commercial awareness and ability to build strong, long-standing relationships.
Tony played a pivotal role in forging our partnership with Bejo. His close working relationship, and friendship, with Bejo director Ger Beemsterboer was instrumental in helping Elsoms become Bejo’s exclusive UK distributor, a relationship that remains today. Tony also worked closely with Bejo’s breeders to ensure varieties were trialled under UK conditions and tailored to the needs of local growers and packers, work that still shapes the portfolio today.
Tony was instrumental in introducing new seed technologies to the UK market. He championed the adoption of fluidised bed seed coating in the 1980s and led Elsoms’ work on priming protocols for carrots, onions and parsnips, practices that are now standard in UK vegetable production. He also helped establish a close working relationship with Incotec, which continues to this day.
Tony thrived in the field. Whether rain or shine, he was at home with growers and breeders and always central to the success of our customer study trips. Outside work, he helped run Saturday night gigs at Springfields in his younger years and later devoted time to Lions Clubs International, supporting their young persons’ drug avoidance programme.
Even after retiring from Elsoms, Tony remained active in the sector. He helped Bejo establish their Western European team and was passionate about giving back to the UK vegetable industry. He hosted open days, supported UKASTA and the BSPB Vegetable Section, and encouraged Elsoms to sponsor industry events that brought growers together.
Tony was devoted to his family. He and Josie met at just 10 years old and later started their relationship while working at Elsoms. They shared 63 happy years of marriage. He leaves behind Josie, their daughters Denise and Melanie, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
We’re grateful for everything Tony brought to Elsoms and to the wider industry. He leaves behind a remarkable legacy — not just in business, but in the lives he touched along the way.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family.
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