Muntons Management

Muntons plc – Executive Directors

Mark Tyldesley

Mark joined Muntons in 2017 in the new role of Deputy Managing Director and became Managing Director in January 2018. He has held senior positions with Procter and Gamble, Tesco, Premier Foods and was latterly Chief Executive of Jeyes Group. Mark has had many years of international experience with roles in Africa, the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe. Born in Beverley, Yorkshire, Mark comes from a family with a background in agriculture and the food industry. He grew up in the Suffolk area before studying law at Nottingham University. Amongst his interests are music, wildlife, skiing, golf and football.

Tim Stonehouse

In 1988, Tim began his journey with Muntons plc as a Malt Sales Manager, starting in Scotland with a focus on malt sales for the Scotch whisky industry. Over time, he transitioned to overseeing the UK domestic and international brewing malt markets, eventually earning a position on the Board of Muntons plc as Group Malt Sales Director in 1997. Throughout his career, Tim played a pivotal role in representing the UK malting industry at EUROMALT in Brussels for 15 years, initially on the Trade Committee and later on the Presidium (Board) where he served as Vice President for 4 years. With a recognised presence in the malting industry, Tim also fulfilled the role of chairman of the Maltsters Association of Great Britain. Beyond his professional endeavors, Tim engages in interests such as rugby, reading, politics & current affairs, and the occasional round of golf.

Neil Pearmain

Neil joined Muntons in 1987 on a management training programme and has held various roles in logistics, administration, and UK and export sales. He was appointed to the board in August 2005 and his current remit includes sales, marketing, customer services, demand and supply planning and group warehousing and logistics. He is a director of Muntons Ingredients Asia Pte Ltd and is President of Muntons Malted Ingredients Inc. In his younger days Neil enjoyed playing rugby and on occasions still turns out for the Stowmarket Veterans XV. He is a fanatical supporter of Harlequins and England Rugby. He enjoys keeping fit through circuit training and spin and has two sons who delight in running him ragged on the squash court.

Kelly Seabrook

Kelly has a degree in Politics and Modern Languages and is a qualified Chartered Accountant with 15 years’ financial experience, mainly in manufacturing businesses. She joined Muntons in 2016 as Head of Finance then, following a period in the role of UK Finance Director, Kelly has been welcomed to the Board as Group Finance Director in 2023. Much of her free time is taken up with a young family but she still finds time to pursue her love of reading and opera.

Liz Lown

Liz joined Munton in January 2024 with a proven track record of delivering business growth and leading improvement through people, process and innovation. Having developed and managed multiple sites with HG&Co, Charlie Bigham’s and Farécla, Liz has a strong history of success within the food and Chemical industries, delivering strategic thinking to apply world class and best practice business solutions. During her spare time, Liz finds pleasure in cooking and immersing herself in the world of theatre.

Franki Hale

Franki Hale, our Executive HR Director who joined Muntons in December 2023 for a 12-month term. With a focus on people-centric strategies, Franki, a strategic and commercially focused leader, aims to contribute to our organisational performance. Bringing valuable experience in team leadership, programme management, and organisational design from diverse industries. Outside of work, Franki enjoys music, cooking, travel, and books. Her interests reflect her varied approach to both work and life, adding to the welcoming culture here at Muntons.

Muntons plc – Non Executive Directors

Paul Wells – Chairman

Paul is a non-executive chair of two family-owned private companies: Muntons plc and Wells & Co., which are both in the East of England. Muntons, which is now over 100 years' old, operates worldwide in the processing of malt and malted ingredients, and Wells & Co that has been brewing beer in Bedford since 1876. With a background in hospitality and marketing, Paul was an executive with Wells & Co for most of his career, developing its pub estate in the UK and France. He is involved with the Dame Alice Owen Foundation in the City of London and is a trustee of Drinkaware, the alcohol education charity.

Emily Wilder

Emily joined Muntons as a Non-Executive Director in 2020. She is the creator of the energy consultancy - Indigo Swan; founded in 2010, working with over 600 organisations nationally. With incredible drive and passion Emily created a multi award-wining business that has a strong focus on organisational culture and engagement which boasts outstanding employee engagement scores. Emily has been a TEDx speaker and has won awards such as the prestigious IoD Young Director of the Year (East of England) and Investors in People Gold certification. Working as Managing Director of Indigo Swan until 2019, Emily now holds a Non-Executive Director position at Indigo Swan alongside her role with Muntons. She also co-founded the Culture:Awesome podcast, discussing all aspects of building, maintaining and improving company culture. Emily is now focusing on her passion for psychology and is currently undertaking a four year MSci in Psychology at the UEA in Norwich.

Peter Wells

Peter is Group Managing Director for Wells & Co, a family run business with a brewery in Bedford called Brewpoint, as well as pub operations in England and in France. With a history degree from Nottingham University and an MSc in Marketing from Cranfield University his background has been in the commercial arm of the business, which he joined 25 years ago. He has a passion for pubs, which is handy, as he now has a valid excuse to visit them on a daily basis.

Chris Thomas

Chris Thomas is the newest member of the Muntons Board joining us as a non-executive director in June 2023. Chris, who is a chartered Engineer, has spent the majority of his executive career in senior management with some of the food sector’s leading businesses. Chris has a particularly strong track record of successful leadership in the food and dairy sectors, having held senior executive and non-executive positions across a range of businesses including Tulip UK, Adelie Foods, Bakkavor, St. Ivel, PepsiCo and Mars. He is currently non-executive Chairman of G’s Convenience Foods and Street Eats Food Ltd and a non-executive director of Espersen. With extensive experience of high growth and turnaround situations in F.M.C.G. with leading multinational organisations, Chris’ breadth of skills and experience will add great value to the Muntons Board.