Ashwood Microbiology
People
Denise Ashwood
Denise entered into recruitment consultancy before joining Scotland's first food testing laboratory, D & M Clark. After ten years this business was sold and she remained as director for 18 months. Denise was then approached by ALcontrol Laboratories to set up a Scottish site. After successfully doing so, she moved into food manufacturing as MD for Fenton Barns in North Berwick. During this time she saw a niche in the laboratory testing market, to provide technical support in addition to laboratory results, and hence Ashwood UK was formed in May 2003.
Andy Barratt
Andy began his career in microbiology 1973 as a Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer. After becoming Head MLSO, he moved into food microbiology in the private sector. In 1991 he started his own company, Brampton Food Analysis, which later merged with another laboratory to form A.C.S. Food Analysis Ltd. After a buy-out by ALcontrol in 1998, Andy became their Chief Microbiologist, responsible for all technical aspects of Food Microbiology for their 5 sites throughout the UK. In 2000 he moved into food manufacturing as Technical Director for Brown Brothers, and in 2003 set up Ashwood UK Limited with Denise and another business partner.
Ewan Lardner
Ewan graduated in Applied Microbiology (BSc Hon.) from Strathclyde University in 1981, and has since worked in technical and quality management in a variety of sectors within the food industry, including dairy (butter and milk powder manufacture), dried foods (meats, soups, ready meals), frozen fruit and vegetables, chilled sandwiches, yeast manufacture (baking, distilling, yeast speciality products), bakery products, and the production of high risk ready-to-eat chilled meals.
He has worked for a number of major food producers including Unilever, Dairy Crest, and Geest, and has dealt with a wide range of retail customers, such as ASDA, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, Safeway, J Sainsbury, Spar, Tesco, Waitrose, and numerous industrial customers such as British Bakeries, , Nestlé, Star (Italy) Unilever (Lipton’s USA, Quest world-wide, Van den Bergh),. Since 1998 he has worked for National Britannia as a food safety consultant, hygiene auditor, HACCP trainer, carried out accredited BRC Evaluations, and developed and implemented an industry-leading food safety system for a major retailer. Ewan joined Ashwood UK in January 2004.
Diane Dixon
Diane was first to join Denise and Andy at Ashwood in the summer of 2003. As Office Administrator, she is generally the ‘first port of call’, and with her friendly outgoing nature, is always eager to assist in client enquiries. Diane has an HNC in Business Administration from Heriot-Watt University, and using this and her experience gained prior to joining Ashwood, she has helped to develop and streamline the Administrative functions of Ashwood UK.
Jim Aitchison
Jim is probably the most visible member of Ashwood UK as he travels around clients to collect laboratory samples. After spending 20 years as a financial advisor, he ‘retired’ and joined us in September 2004. Jim lives with his wife in Galashiels and is a keen rugby supporter, following both Gala and the Borders Rugby team.