Tony Saxby

Tony began his milling career as a nutritional advisor for a provender mill after leaving agricultural college. Tony has 25 years experience of milling Simon, Robinson, Satake, and Buhler mills, with ten years experience as mill manager.

During this time, Tony has overseen two major mill re-models, and one new mill commissioned, and has been involved with two further major installations in the last four years, as well as two updates of wheat cleaning plants for Messrs Weetabix Ltd.

As mill manager in 1989, was jointly responsible for the initiation and ultimate accreditation to BS5750 (ISO 9000) Quality system.

Qualifications to date include: National Diploma in Agriculture, HNC Agricultural Engineering, City and Guilds Flour Milling, and a Financial Planning certificate.

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Ray Palmer

Ray has over 25 years in milling industry, having worked for Allied Mills

In that time he was been responsible for all aspects of the business - from buying wheat, through milling to warehouse and logistics.

Ray's areas of expertise include health and safety, environmental management, human resource management.

Ray now works as an independent consultant on hygiene, health, and employment matters. He has served as a correspondence course tutor for 17 years.

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Chris Wyle

Chris began his milling training in 1961, taking a two-year course at the National Baking School - Borough Polytechnic, London. When finished Chris joined a flour milling company based in Chelsea as a Test Baker. The company, over the years, saw many changes and finally ended up in the Spillers Milling Group.

In 1973 he changed jobs and joined a company based in Tonbridge, Kent as a Flour Processing Technical Adviser. During Chris's time with this company he fulfilled a two-year contract in South Africa dealing with the mills and to a lesser extend the bakeries in that country.

Returning to the UK in 1979 he continued with the same company until 1981 when he was invited to join independent, family owned G.R. Wright & Sons Ltd as a Technical Miller. Chris is still with the same company, now in the position of Technical Director. Has served as a tutor on the correspondence courses for 18 years.

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Robert Bell

Robert's career in the milling industry started in 1965 and with his first appointment as a milling apprentice working in the test laboratory, for Rank Hovis Ltd.

The mill was a Simon 80 sack plant producing batch mixes, packed, bulk flours and animal feed products, after two years I was appointed as a mill operative, in that time I covered all aspects of the milling process and I gained my full technical C & G certificate in milling from nabim.

In 1982 Robert was appointed as shift foreman, responsible for all aspects of the process from wheat to finished flour, in that time I gained invaluable experience in handling people.

Robert was appointed Assistant Mill Manager in 1988, in which time he was responsible to for the efficient running of the site operation. Robert's experience includes development of a new systems of work; enhancement of plant efficiencies, ensuring product consistency in quality, throughput and running hours.

In 2003 he was appointed Manufacturing Manager for Rank Hovis, Barry, and is responsible for all site activities and processes including engineering. Robert believes that the training and the development of employee's is key to the success of any good business, for that reason he joined nabim as a tutor in 1999/2000 to "give back" some of his experience and knowledge of the milling process.

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Steve Butler

General Manager for Independent Flour Milling Company, E.B. Bradshaw & Sons Ltd with almost 30 years experience in the industry.

Technical qualification include City & Guilds Basic, Operatives and Advanced certificates in flour milling, combined with a Diploma in Flour Milling And Technical Certificate from the Swiss Milling School.

Steve has been a member of the nabim correspondence course tutor team for over 10 years.

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David Ferns

David is planning executive for the RHM group with over 23 years experience within the Flour Milling industry. He was first appointed to Rank Hovis, Southampton Mill, where his duties covered large & diverse operations including packing blending, heat treatment.

David has worked in head office under production director and for 14 years at Rank Hovis, Felixstowe, as manager in charge of modern Buhler mill and site. David was responsible for commissioning a new plant and subsequent increased capacity.

David's experience in educating covers not only the correspondence courses but also with the training of employees in milling and management. Role expanded to include company wide projects and IT while still based at Felixstowe and responsibility for Ramsgate mill.

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David Robertson

David has over 30 years of experience within the flour milling industry. Starting as a young man with Hucthinsons in the early 70's.

Currently Mill Manager for CARRS FLOUR MILLS, who are a large independent flour mill.

David has been employed with Carrs for over 16 years where his areas of responsibility are within in the Production and Engineering departments. Other areas of responsibility and expertise include the associated disciplines of Health & Safety, Environmental and Personnel.

Previous employers include Hutchisons, Smiths and Bowmans. Responsibility in these companies has always been in Production, Engineering, Transport and Quality Control.

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