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Tragically , Richard ’ s dad passed away when Richard was just 18 .
‘ I studied at Newcastle University and at Hull University . I graduated in 1992 having taken Business and Finance with French and Spanish as I felt the EU single market might create greater opportunities . It was while I was at Hull that I met my wife Emma .’
A graduate ’ s role at JSR in Southburn became a seven-year career that saw Richard trading in slaughter pigs , potatoes and cereals from 1992-1999 . He left to start up AKP when he and Bruce Kerr had met on a training course .
‘ We very fortunate in becoming a major supplier to Morrisons and our business grew dramatically with their
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acquisition of Safeway . The fabulous relationship we have always had has allowed us to develop a much broader portfolio of customers across a huge range of platforms and today we have the capacity to supply and service all sectors of the potato market .’
‘ In 2007 we also started growing our own potatoes – we now grow 500 acres of potatoes in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and 1000 acres in Suffolk . In broadening our base we are now involved in all areas of the produce supply chain from transportation to storage and grading at Elsham Wold . We don ’ t pack , but we grow , store and market to the tune of services worth over £ 20m a year .’
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Richard ’ s next move is already well under way . He ’ s now looking at seed potatoes .
‘ It ’ s a really important area . Seed health has had a really tough period and we have identified the Yorkshire Wolds as a key seed potato growing area . Like Scotland , which has been a noted area for many years , the higher you go land-wise in growing seed potatoes the higher the health of the crop .’
‘ Currently a large proportion the UK ’ s seed potato supply comes from Holland and France but , prompted by Brexit , we believe now is the key time to look locally for the right growing areas that offer quality crop health status .’
‘ One of our major customers has already pledged its commitment to the growth in UK seed potato production by transferring 100 hectares of seed production from Holland to the Yorkshire Wolds this year and , dependent upon results being in line with expectation they are looking to double production for the 2022 season . We are planting the crop at the time of this magazine going to press .’
‘ This is a massive opportunity for Yorkshire Wolds farmers . The company involved is a global business and are committed to a scheme called ‘ local for local ’. It has been driven by Brexit and we see it as highly encouraging for the UK potato industry . I would urge any farmer who thinks they may have the right land for seed potato production from Market Weighton to Sledmere to Driffield to make contact with David Burks who is in charge of this new arm to our business called The
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Humble Potato Company . David is a well-respected and highly experienced professional in the potato marketing world , particularly in the seed potato market .’
As a result of the new business and its future prospects AKP has recently invested once again , with a further 3000 tonnes of cold storage at Elsham Wold .
Richard and Emma live at Naburn near York where they have 60 acres , with no potatoes ! They have a son Ben who is studying at Newcastle ; and two daughters – Sophie who is studying media at Leeds and Tess who is presently heading Askham Bryan College studying to become a vet nurse
‘ I ’ ve no idea whether my father would have thought of going down the road of vodka from potatoes or going into seed potatoes , but I know that he would always have looked at anything that was well received – and that ’ s what has happened so far with Edwards 1902 and we are certain will be the case with The Humble Potato Company .’
‘ Edwards 1902 has already achieved success from our industry peers . We ’ re now planning on reaching the supermarkets and the hospitality sector now that it is all open again . We ’ ve only just started – cheers !’
If you would like to know more about Edwards 1902 visit : https :// www . edwards1902 . co . uk or if you would like to find out more about your land being used for seed potato production contact : David Burks on 07500 160125 .
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