Clark joined the firm in 1989 as a trader with a background in farming, having worked on his family farm for a number of years, but was quickly able to progress.
He went on to serve in several roles within planning, budgeting and managing grower relationships, before eventually being appointed as commercial director.
No details about his replacement have yet been shared.
Branston is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of potatoes to the retail and wholesale channels, operating sites in Lincoln, Perth and Somerset.
Commenting on his time with Branston, Clark said: “Every day at Branston is different, and I have had a wonderful time over the last three decades learning everything I can about potato supply and contributing to the growth of the business. Branston was very different when I joined back in 1989 and the market is continuing to evolve, but understanding the whole industry has been key to my career longevity and I’m privileged to have had many opportunities to learn and grow at Branston.”
Clark added that building up the team around him has been a highlight of his 35 years with the firm.
“I have worked with many talented people throughout my career, both internally and externally, and building these strong relationships has been extremely rewarding,” he continued.
“After three decades of potatoes, I’m now looking forward to spending some time travelling with my family.”
Branston CEO Jim Windle was full of praise for Clark and thanked him for his “invaluable” dedication and hard work.
“It’s been a pleasure to work with Richard and experience his passion for the industry, and we all wish him, and his family, well for the future,” Windle said.
“The longevity of Richard’s career is testament also to the breadth of opportunities and depth of real relationships this sector has to offer. It is possible to have an incredibly versatile career in produce and added value food categories, not least because in these sectors it is critical that you are able to look up and downstream in equal measure and be as close with your supply base as you are with your customers. Very few industries offer or demand this.”
Windle also highlighted Clark’s resilience, having worked in a “challenging but enjoyable sector” for so long.
He concluded: “At Branston, we’re committed to investing in people and supporting our team in long-term careers like Richard’s. His expertise will be missed, but we’re equally looking forward to welcoming and growing the next generation of talent, which is well underway.”
