FOUNDED by Tom Soanes as a farm-based business in 1948, T.Soanes & Son is a family owned business which has been rearing and preparing poultry in Yorkshire for more than 65 years.

It rears more than five million birds per year on its Yorkshire Wolds farms and sells its chicken to butchers and independent retailers in Yorkshire and to wholesalers nationwide.

Since the Soanes family appointed Nigel Upson to the position of general manager in 2013, the business has invested in capital equipment and personnel and has attained key nationally recognised quality standards.

New roles have been created to focus the business on the future and on delivering growth which has delivered an additional £2.5 million of new business and a 300 per cent increase in profitability.

Recent investment in quality improvement exceeds £250,000 and includes a Vent Opener, a Chiller and a Blast Freezer. A further £100,000 is scheduled during 2015 to improve presentational quality of the chicken.

Investment in personnel and procedures resulted in a Grade A of the BRC Quality Standard and the Red Tractor certification that has reaped rewards and has fuelled a 20 per cent year on year growth in sales.

Mr Upson is passionate about food and has been employed in the industry for more than 30 years. He enjoyed a variety of roles in technical, production and commercial before moving to general management.

What job would you like to have other than your own and why?

"This is my dream job. The only way that it could be improved would be to have more time to be creative in business development."

Greatest achievement?

"Personally, it was winning the beginners race at the Stowmarket Town Swimming Gala in 1970 – it’s the only medal I’ve ever won.

"Professionally, it has to be driving the turnaround in Soanes Poultry over the last two years."

What makes you most angry?

"People who want more, but aren’t prepared to work for what they want."

Biggest mistake?

"Not taking a year off to travel when I had the chance."

What do you need to make life complete?

"A three day working week, that should bring my hours down to 40."

Why do you make a difference?

"I’m driven by a passion for what I do."

Epitaph

"On my father’s death, his friends said to me: “He was a good old boy.” That would do nicely."