Meet the Team

Meet the Team

Here at Appleton Woods, we’re a small, close-knit team of fantastic people – from our Warehouse staff to the Customer Service team, to our Salespeople! Find out more about everyone in the team below:

                                Alicia Breakwell – Customer Service & Marketing Support Officer

What do you like to do for fun?!

I like walking, bowling and shopping!

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

Working with an amazing group of people and learning about the products Appleton Woods has to offer!

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My family, my phone and sun cream!

                                  Atqiya Alam- Product Development Executive

What do you like to do for fun?!

Reading, hiking and practising my baking/cooking recipes.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

The dynamic nature of my role and working with the amazing team here!

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

Sunscreen, a good book and a lifetime supply of salt and vinegar crisps.

Chris Brown – Chairman

What do you like to do for fun?!

I love spending time with my family and friends, particularly at my home in the beautiful Wye Valley. I like to break up the winter months skiing in the French Alps and have a lot of fun with a group of fellow ‘young at hearts’ during our annual pilgrimage (unfortunately, not this year, though.) Our new puppy, Finley, is providing plenty of fun (and otherwise) at the moment.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

As my mom and dad founded this company when I was five years old I’ve been working here for a long time – literally, man and boy. Many highlights, and of course tough times too. There’s something new everyday and some real challenges, so it’s always engaging. On reflection, the highlights have always come from working with customers, the partnerships with suppliers and being part of the Appleton Woods ‘family’.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My iPad – it’s my window on the world. Having gone ‘paperless’ three years ago, it’s also my photo album, notebook, diary, planner, filing cabinet, library, radio and TV. I do hope there’s good internet on this island. My golf clubs and a supply of golf balls. When I get back, my bunker shots should have improved. A good supply of Glenlivet 12 year old scotch whiskey. If all else fails it may be some comfort.

           Chris Moore – Managing Director

What do you like to do for fun?!

Socialise with friends and family. Watch football and play golf (badly!)

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

Being the first non-family member appointed as a company director

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

A machete, a hammock & a life time supply of Chablis

                                      Clara Dunning – e-Procurement & Data Manager

What do you like to do for fun?!

Mostly cooking, I’m currently having a Korean cookery phase, and cross-stitch, plus I love a good board game.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

My highlight over the last seven years has probably been getting to see the business really grow and change – I now feel like a true member of the Appleton Woods family.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My husband, my kindle and a good bottle of gin – at which point it pretty much sounds like my ideal holiday!

                                      David Benson – Automation Sales Specialist

What do you like to do for fun?!

I like to go for long walks in the countryside, cooking, attempting to play golf and watching football.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

It has been great to work alongside such a hard-working and friendly team. At Appleton Woods the team really respect you and you always feel like your ideas are listened to and appreciated. I also enjoy the flexible nature of my role and the opportunity to build so many relationships with prospective new customers.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My wife, a nice bottle of fruity gin and a lifetime supply of crisps!

                        Eliot Barson– Northern Account Manager

What do you like to do for fun?!

I am an active person and love to play sports, I play football and badminton weekly as well as long walks in the country. When I am not active, I enjoy reading about stocks/shares/cryptocurrencies to invest in.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

My highlights of working for AW are being integrated into a great team so quickly.  This has helped me transition from an academic to an Account Manager and build relationships with the customers we work with.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My three things I would take onto the island would be… friends and family (I will count that as 1), a football and a TV.

                        Emily Mann– Equipment Sales Support

What do you like to do for fun?!

I love mini golf, if it’s neon it’s even better! I’m terrible but it’s still good fun! I also spend most of my sundays on long walks with my dogs, no doubt getting muddy.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

How lovely and welcoming the team at Appleton Woods are and speaking to customers day to day

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My Kindle, an airbed and a lot of cocktails!!

                       Emma Marsden – Biotech Sales Specialist

What do you like to do for fun?!

I love to travel both for fun and for historical travel. I’m also a big fan of rollercoasters so we try to visit as many theme parks as we can on holiday, including riding the tallest rollercoaster in Europe a few years ago which was scary but super fun! I love Disney and Harry Potter so this does mean these are often incorporated into our travel plans with visits to Disney locations and universal studios whenever we can. As such I’ve managed to make both the 25th and 50th Disney World anniversaries and I’m hoping to make it to the 100 years of Disney celebration later this year.

What are you most looking forward to here at AW?

I’m really looking forward to getting out there to meet my customers and helping them to find the best solutions to make their working life as easy as possible. I’m also really looking forward to being back in a smaller company again, working with a close knit group and being part of a team that has this great caring and fun family mentality.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

A great chef, I love food so I’m sure they could turn any exotic island ingredients into the most amazing meal. A sat phone so I could call my friends and family for a good catch-up and my bed as I do love a good nights sleep!

                        Evie Burles– Customer Services Officer

What do you like to do for fun?!

I like baking, spending time with my friends and binge watching the same TV shows again and again…

What are you most looking forward to here at AW?

Getting to know everyone! The team are so friendly and I’m looking forward to properly spending time with everybody.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My chilly bottle. Spotify and a stockpile of Lindt chocolate!

                                Kayleigh Murray- Senior Customer Services Officer

What do you like to do for fun?!

I’m a big Aston Villa fan and spend most of my time watching the premier league when it’s on. I also love to travel and can’t wait to explore more destinations when I’m able to do so. I’m also guilty of watching too much reality TV (oops).

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

Being able to work as part of a team in the office and interacting with customers on a daily basis. 

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My bed, Spotify, and pizzaaa

                                        Lana Jackson – Equipment Sales Manager

What do you like to do for fun?!

I love to travel; I tend to save all my money and holidays for one big trip a year. Usually destinations that have incredible food – maybe I’m just eating my way around the world! Aside from that I like to sketch, read, garden and game. Since COVID I have spent quite a bit of time walking around the Cotswolds, but if I manage to get my hands on a PS5 I’m sure I will become a sofa sloth again.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

Honestly, meeting and working with the AW family. I have found some of my closest friends here and that is something I will always cherish. I also love the way we work, no matter your role you can contribute ideas that are valued and implemented in the company strategy. I think it is so important to work somewhere where you feel “heard”, and that is Appleton Woods.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

My paperback copy of Pride and Prejudice – I have taken it on every holiday since I was 15. Most of the pages are hanging out now but I refuse to buy a new copy. A camera – I just love to take photos of the places I have been. Annoyingly I tend to forget to take pictures of me in the scenery so they could just be stock photos from google earth haha! My partner – although is that cheating? I have to say it though, he is the cook and I might starve without him.

                            Luke Housley – Sales & Marketing Director

What do you like to do for fun?!

I enjoy watching and playing football but as a dad of two young girls I spend most of my time watching dancing and swimming lessons!

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

Appleton Woods is all about the people, as a small, family-run business it’s important that everyone works as a team and that’s so much easier if everyone gets on. Thankfully everyone is so nice and we meet (virtually) daily in a team meeting chaired by Chris the MD in which we share each others success and talk about the challenges facing our customers but most importantly have a laugh together! So I would say any opportunity we get to all get together is a highlight.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

Assuming there is food/water/shelter: My family, my friends and a football!

                             Mark Perkins – Microscopy Sales Specialist

What do you like to do for fun?!

Attempt to play football, read sci-fi/fantasy books, and watch TV. I’ve also got either a podcast or music playing in the background throughout the day.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

Training with a wide range of microscopes so i can really understand the equipment customers need.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

  1.  An unlimited supply of chicken wings and Frank’s RedHot sauce (truly the greatest combination of flavours ever invented)
  2. Goggles because who likes to get saltwater in their eyes?!
  3. My iPod classic that admittedly cannot hold charge for very long…

                                        Mohammed Hussain – Management Accountant

What do you like to do for fun?!

I enjoy all kinds of Sports really! Plus i like the competitiveness of playing video, board games and quizzes where I can feel challenged and gain some knowledge. I am also a very family-oriented person and enjoy spending time with my family.

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

The highlight of working at AW is the family-based environment. Despite  being from different backgrounds in terms of education, prior employments, race and culture-AW creates an inclusive environment whilst maintaining the focus required from our BAU activities.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

I am going to go very practical here and take a torch, knife and a hammock. All the essentials needed for survival haha!

                 Paul Hutchinson – Business Development Manager

What do you like to do for fun?!

I love going out at the weekends socialising (pubs, restaurants, and football matches) and going on long walks with our Cockapoo Duggy.

What are the main skills and experiences you hope to bring to the team?

Market and Product knowledge and Leadership and Mentoring skills.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

Obviously apart from having my wife, children, grandchildren and dog with me, it would be my phone, AirPods and Spotify!

                           Sam Garvey – Southern Account Manager

What do you like to do for fun?!

International rugby fan, and love going to the bars/the pub

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

Working with such a dynamic and close team assisting the national COVID-19 fight by helping to supply essential products.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

Access to Spotify, a good speaker and the biggest crate of beer possible

                          Sian Davies – Operations Manager

What do you like to do for fun?!

Reading a good book, binge-watching a new series and gardening

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

Each day is different, even on the most challenging of days you can always rely on a customer or colleague to make it better. My highlight would have to be the people I get to work with each day.

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

A parasol, sun lotion and a book.

              Tania Chand – Marketing Executive

What do you like to do for fun?!

I enjoy reading – mainly horror and fantasy! I sometimes draw and I like spending time with friends and my cat Leo <3

What has been your highlight of working at AW?

The biggest highlight for me is the team here at AW. We are all such a close appfam and I love working with everyone, we always have soo much fun on our work nights out!

If you could only take 3 things on a desert island what would they be?

Hmm hard question! Defo a book- probably Frankenstein or Lord of the Rings (my faves). Music, I can’t live without some tunes! Maybe some sunscreen because I hate when my nose gets burnt.