Meet the Team – Simon Withers – General Manager

Simon is the latest addition to the Roadhogs team.

He has a wealth of experience in the agricultural sector, originally from a mixed farming background. With a 20 year career in an international dairy cooperative as a senior people manager, followed by business development experience with a UK national dairy consultancy business.

Simon is our General Manager with overall responsibility for the business operation.

We had a quick coffee with Simon about his plans for the future of Roadhogs and why those working in farming should chat with Roadhogs.

2. What attracted you to Roadhogs?

For over 30 years the Roadhogs Recruitment Ltd has been working alongside the UK pig sector, building an unrivalled brand reputation for delivering for producers and applicants. 

For me the decision to move from the dairy sector to the pig industry Roadhogs was a natural fit, the sort of organisation I wanted to be involved in, especially with these strong business foundations and values set.

2. What’s your plan for Roadhogs?

Roadhogs is committed to playing our part in the future of the UK pig industry. 

My immediate objective has been to properly understand our core business from end to end and for me to build the relationship with our customers and continue to be the trusted route for candidates looking for an opportunity in the sector. 

In the medium to long term, we will continue to invest in our core business, understand our customer and candidates changing needs, develop our service options, strengthen our friendly team approach, whilst striving to deliver excellent customer service to our producer clients. 

I am particularly keen to work with the sector on how we can retain the existing talent on farm and attract the next generation of skilled people into the pig farming industry.

3. What’s exciting about the pig farming industry?

The UK pig industry has a great story to tell, the sector has had to be resilient and adapt to an ever-changing trading environment.

It produces a great tasting product, though the commitment and dedication of hard-working producers and skilled stock people.

4. How important is building good relationships with producers and workers?

People are our business, our focus will continue to be delivering for our customers and for Roadhogs to be the go to place for people working in and applicants looking to enter the pig sector.

5. The Pig Industry offers exciting & progressive careers; how can those working in other areas of agriculture make the transition?

We have many examples of where livestock applicants have made the successful career transition to the pig sector. There are many transferable stockmanship and management skills, it’s all about the applicant being able to communicate what they can offer and their attitude to learning and developing into a new role.

6. Finally, describe your ideal Sunday.

A family dog walk, watch my youngest son play grassroots football, roast pork with all the trimmings, followed by feet up in front of a roaring log fire.

Get in touch with Simon by calling 0800 999 3655 or email him at [email protected].