deliciously yorkshire

David Whittle

Chair of Deliciously Yorkshire

David Whittle originally co-founded the leading brand agency CHILLI which specialises in food and drink. Following a successful merger with another major comms group he stepped down as MD after 28 years.

His experience in the food and retail industry is extensive ranging from managing the strategic design account for the Co-op to working on other national and international brands such as Deliciously Ella, Cadbury, Ocean Spray and Tetley Tea. He has also worked on a host of Yorkshire brands including Wensleydale Creamery, Yorkshire Provender, Saltaire Brewery and Jacksons of Yorkshire.

David also launched a food and drink brand agency in Sydney, Australia.

He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and a Fellow of the Australian Marketing Institute.

Julian Wild

Board Member

Julian Wild has been a solicitor for over 40 years and has worked in and around the food industry for almost all of his career.

For 26 years Julian was a senior executive in Northern Foods plc and for the last 15 years has been the Food Group Director at Rollits, a law firm in Hull and York specialising in the food industry. Julian has been a non-executive director of Macphie of Glenbervie and Shepcote as well as many charities and not-for-profit organisations. He is also an experienced mediator.

Richard Holmes

Board Member

Richard Holmes is the managing director of Cryer & Stott Cheesemongers Ltd.

An artisan cheesemonger who has led the business for 24 years, from a basic provision stall in Wakefield market to now a thriving wholesale business which supplies over 200 retailers, gastro pubs, hotels, sporting stadiums & Michelin-starred restaurants.

Jennie Palmer

Board Member

For the last 12 years, Jennie has worked within her family’s business, Breckenholme, leading the marketing, design and development of Breckenholme’s regional and national brands, Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil and Charlie & Ivy’s. Whilst working as Marketing Manager at Breckenholme, Jennie also offers freelance support to small businesses’ aiding them with their marketing and creative requirements.

“Passionate about all things food and drink I’m madly proud of the community of food producers, farmers and small businesses I have the pleasure to work alongside over the last 12 years. I love to cook, and food is always at the centre of my family and work life. My life has been spent within independent, creative businesses and my past as a costume designer and maker and as a freelancer helps me see the industry from a fresh creative perspective.”

Jennie continues to work collaboratively with fellow food producers within Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil’s Yorkshire Stories and EAT Yorkshire campaigns and is excited to be able to support Deliciously Yorkshire and its members as it moves forward. 

Razan Alsous

Board Member

Razan is the founder and owner of Yorkshire Dama Cheese. She has a scientific background and specializes in laboratory science. Razan has also studied languages and civilization at Paris Sorbonne University – Abu Dhabi which enriches her diverse vision and skills. Originally, she is from Syria, but she fled the war and came to the UK, she challenged her circumstances and found a new life. Deliciously Yorkshire was the organization that spotted her entrepreneurial skills and supported her through her journey until today. Razan is joining the board team at DY to give back the love and support they once gave her and to have an effective role in supporting other food businesses. She was selected to be The Women Of The Year in 2016. She is the ambassador of start-up loan. 

Razan has also been honoured to be recognized by The Royal Family numerous times.

Chris Wildman

Board Member

Chris Wildman has been involved in Yorkshire Food from an early age as a 5th-generation butcher, charcutier & retailer.  A passionate local food evangelist based in the Yorkshire Dales at Town End Farm Shop & Wildman Charcuterie & Salumi in Malhamdale.

Steve Ashman

Board Member

Steve’s background is in retail with an impressive 30 years in various roles at Tesco. He is currently the Director of Training, Service and Sales at Rounton Coffee.  He is a shopkeeper at heart with a passion for service and relationships. His ethos is that people matter as much as products and in business profit is the gift. When not at home or doing anything to do with coffee Steve can be found on a beach, motorbike, cooking or jumping from perfectly good aeroplanes.