Brian Fearon

Background

About Brian Fearon

My Name is Kevin Brian Fearon. Most people call me Brian. I was born in 1972 in Chililabombwe, Zambia. I went to Junior School in Rhodesia, Senior School in Zimbabwe and university in the UK. I have worked in Zimbabwe and South Africa in senior and executive management levels for the last 25 years in the food and FMCG sectors. I am one of the most practical, hands on, common sense, down to earth, quick learning and technically minded managers you will meet. Nothing phases me as I’ve seen it all before, war, famine, starvation, shortages of raw materials, logistical problems, pandemic (typhoid, dysentery, cholera, malaria, and now Covid-19) political persecution, collapsed economies, hyperinflation, riots, strikes, violent unions and coups. Through all of which I was able to finance, build and personally commission new state of the art factories and processing lines to introduce new concept products. These products were sold locally to companies like HJ Hienz, Neslte and Coca-Cola, we also exported the bulk of our production to Europe, Asia including Japan and Australia, USA and other African countries. We supplied supermarkets in the UK like Tesco, Sainsburys, and Waitrose. The result more than doubled our turnover and pushed our net profit to over 30%. We used LEAN manufacturing systems coupled with a HACCP based BRCGS, SGS, FSSC quality system thus I have a good working knowledge of these systems. After Brexit and the current problems in the UK economy, with shortages, logistics problems and inflation about to rise, I’ve experienced this before and know how to manage and navigate businesses through these troubling times. I’ve done it successfully before. I have worked my way up from Deputy Production Manager up to General Manager, but my passion is in the day to day hands on management of production and factories to which I excel. My passion is infectious, my high level of emotional intelligence and empathy endear my “work family” to the highest level of respect and trust for me.I have manufactured the following products, Jams, Marmalades, curds, sauces, marinades, mayonnaise, Atchar, fresh and preserved juices and cordials, dried fruits, tinned fruits, tinned tomatoes and paste/purées, Pizza toppings, tropical, deciduous and citrus concentrates and NFC.As a matter of interest, the laws and regulatory environment in Southern Africa is very similar to the UKs as they are all based on the same law foundations, but are of often more whimsical and rigorously enforced, hence why so many business in these regions do not survive.