Food.
People.
Jobs.

Chris Trudgian

Managing Director

After a successful career in IT and FMCG recruitment, Chris saw a unique opportunity to open a recruitment business specializing in placing professionals into the food manufacturing industry. In July 2004, Zest was born, with a clear objective: to be the best recruitment business food industry professionals had ever worked with.

Chris’s approach involves understanding the business and culture of food companies to ensure the right skills and the best cultural fit. Through a “no stone unturned” strategy, Zest leverages an extensive network, continuous investment in technology, and top-tier tools to find the best local talent.

For food industry professionals, Zest ensures that every opportunity is a long-term, right-fit move. All consultants receive ongoing industry-leading training, with many starting as trainees.

Chris is incredibly proud of Zest’s achievements, including winning industry awards, collaborating with top brands, and helping newer businesses grow. His passion for training has shaped some of the best consultants in the industry, including the Zest leadership team.

Gemma Burman

Principal Consultant

Gemma Burman is an experienced recruitment professional with over a decade of expertise, having worked in Covent Garden for a FTSE 250 business. Starting as a graduate, she rose to the role of Director of the London office. Gemma is known for her exceptional ability to connect top talent with leading organisations, building a reputation for listening, communicating, and providing a consultative service.

After taking time off to raise her family, Gemma was eager to return to work and was drawn to Zest Recruitment due to its strong reputation in the food and drink industry. She is excited to use her skills to develop and grow the Commercial/Sales division.

Outside of work, Gemma enjoys cooking home-made meals inspired by her favourite chef, Yotam Ottolenghi, and stays active with athletics training and supporting her children’s sporting activities.

Gemma’s focus is on building strong relationships to deliver the best outcomes for clients and candidates.

George Young

Consultant

George has a distinct palate and enjoys experimenting with new flavors, including his signature tuna and rice dish. He is passionate about uncovering top talent and is focused on building a strong network of skilled engineers across the Southwest. Always open for a conversation, George loves discussing reactive breakdowns and sharing insights on engineering solutions. Outside of work, he’s often found researching his next van conversion project.

As his network continues to grow, George aims to establish himself as the go-to expert in the Southwest’s food and drink industry. His fascination with automation drives his ambition to expand his engineering knowledge and stay ahead of industry developments. With a clear vision and determination, George is positioning himself as a key player in both the engineering and food sectors. His combination of skills, interests, and motivation is shaping him into a highly influential figure in his field.

Jack Moulton

Consultant

Jack began his recruitment career after completing his university degree in Leeds. Seeking a new challenge and the chance to work with an outgoing team, he caught the attention of Zest founder Chris, who recognised Jack’s potential and invited him to join the Zest group. Over two years later, Jack now specialises in the technical food recruitment market, focusing on the North West.

Outside of work, Jack is a passionate motorsport fan. He spends most weekends following the racing circuit across the country, often supporting his cousin in kart racing. When he’s not at a racetrack, Jack enjoys spending time with friends at the pub or watching various sporting events. Known for his love of food, he often enjoys a steak with truffle fries while catching a game. Jack’s enthusiasm for motorsports and his social nature make him a dynamic, well-rounded individual both in and out of the workplace.

Jan Green

Finance Manager

With three decades of experience in the food industry, Jan Green is Zest’s highly skilled and ultra-experienced finance manager. Throughout her career, Jan has built an impressive depth of knowledge, making her an invaluable asset to the team.

Jan is known for her meticulous attention to detail and her passion for financial management, ensuring that all aspects of Zest’s operations are running smoothly. Her expertise in managing finances in the food sector allows her to provide key insights that support the company’s growth and success.

Outside of work, Jan has a well-known love for ice cream, particularly Roskilly’s Cornish ice cream, which she enjoys indulging in during her downtime. Jan’s dream day would involve a perfect combination of enjoying a tub of her favourite ice cream while diving into a particularly pleasant spreadsheet, finding satisfaction in both her passions.

Her dedication, experience, and love for her work make Jan an essential part of the Zest team.

Jecca Sweeney

Principal Consultant

Before joining Zest, Jecca had been working in the property industry in the Big Smoke. So, when Jecca decided she was ready to make the move back the countryside, she wanted a job that gave her the same buzz – a goal reached easily in the recruitment industry. Jecca’s passion for working with people saw her fall in love with a career change to Zest over seven years ago. Working within the NPD and process team, Jecca is cornering the Northwest market of food manufacturing recruitment.

Jecca loves a muddy challenge, having previously done Tough Mudder. Jecca is now training for the charity triathlon at Blenheim Palace. Naturally, she’s a real foodie, loves cooking and entertaining – so combining her interests with working in NPD means she’s learning about amazing food brands every day at work. What a result!

Josh Manby

Senior Consultant

Before joining Zest, Josh spent several years in hospitality, including three years as a restaurant manager. After a long career in the industry, he sought a new challenge and transitioned into recruitment, where he quickly adapted to the fast-paced environment.

With over seven years at Zest, Josh has progressed to senior consultant, where he is a trusted advisor to both clients and candidates. He thrives on building strong relationships, and his exceptional people skills are key to his success in recruitment.

Outside of work, Josh is a dedicated family man who enjoys holidays and indulging in a drink or two. He’s passionate about football, particularly Manchester United, and never misses a match. Josh humorously notes, “Between work, sleep, and the occasional beer, football always comes in that order.”

Josh’s dedication to both his career and personal interests makes him a valuable member of the Zest team, always striving to deliver the best outcomes for everyone involved.

Lucy Carroll

Office Manager

Office Manager Lucy is passionate about food and wine, always indulging in her love for cooking. A food enthusiast, she enjoys visiting country pubs after long walks in her native Somerset and exploring the latest eateries in London with her food-loving family.

Lucy also has a strong love for music and travel, spending her summers attending festivals and traveling abroad—when she’s not busy being a mum to her daughter, Willow.

Her career has spanned the food industry, including wedding catering in Somerset, cheffing in restaurants and private events, working with wine merchants, and selling cheese and seafood. Throughout it all, food has been her constant passion. Now back at Zest after maternity leave, Lucy is the go-to person for office queries and finance-related matters.

Her diverse background and enthusiasm for food make her an invaluable member of the team, always ready to offer support and keep things running smoothly.

Maddie Finlay

Consultant

Maddie joined Zest shortly after completing her university studies, bringing with her a natural ability to connect with people and a clear passion for the food and drink industry. From the moment she arrived, Maddie quickly demonstrated a genuine enthusiasm for her work, building strong relationships with both clients and candidates alike.

Her excellent communication skills and empathetic nature make her a standout in the team. Maddie is always eager to learn and grow, and her passion for food and drink drives her to stay informed about the latest industry trends and opportunities. She is dedicated to delivering top-tier service, ensuring every candidate and client feels supported and understood.

Outside of work, Maddie enjoys exploring new restaurants, trying her hand at cooking, and keeping up with the ever-evolving food scene. Her enthusiasm for the industry, combined with her strong people skills, makes Maddie an asset to Zest.

Natasha McFarlane

Principal Consultant

Natasha has a true passion for food, and she loves discussing it. By day, she works with top talent in the technical, quality, hygiene, and laboratory markets, matching skilled professionals with the right roles. By night, she’s a genuine foodie, always on the lookout for new dining experiences. To maintain balance, Natasha can often be found in the gym, ensuring a healthy lifestyle to complement her love for food.

Specializing in recruitment support across East Anglia, West Midlands, and the Home Counties and with over eight years at Zest, Natasha has become the go-to professional in these regions. Her success stems from a deep understanding of her clients’ needs and a dedication to delivering exceptional service.

Natasha’s approach is rooted in honesty and transparency, allowing her to build strong, long-term relationships with both candidates and clients. Her genuine passion and commitment make her a trusted expert in her field.

Niall Carter

Principal Consultant

Niall brings a diverse background in leisure and recruitment, with a career dedicated to helping others reach their potential. Starting in the leisure sector, he advanced from gym training to sales, which led him to recruitment. Niall joined Zest, over 6 years ago, with a strong commitment to prioritising the needs of both clients and candidates.

As a Senior Recruitment Consultant at Zest, Niall manages engineering recruitment for the North West of England. His expertise in food jobs drives his success, and he’s known for his relentless, no-quit attitude, ensuring the best match for every role. Niall is dedicated to delivering the most relevant candidates to clients quickly and efficiently.

Outside of work, Niall enjoys beach holidays and long countryside walks with his dog. He’s passionate about trying new restaurants and regularly visits London to explore the best bars and pubs—always in the name of research!

Nicola Richardson

Director

With 18 years of unwavering dedication to Zest, Nicola is the most experienced recruiter in the NPD and Process market within the UK’s food manufacturing sector. Her success reflects her deep market knowledge, sharp questioning skills and an innate ability to listen and deliver exceptional results for both clients and candidates.

Nicola takes pride in understanding each client’s unique requirements and excels at matching them with top talent, ensuring the best fit for both company and candidate. She works exclusively with some of the finest NPD professionals in the food industry, boasting an impressive network that provides unparalleled market reach.

What sets Nicola apart is her commitment to a tailored approach. Rather than simply filling positions, she builds lasting partnerships that drive long-term success. Her expertise, combined with personalised service, ensures each recruitment process is seamless and effective, cementing her reputation as a leader in the field.

Oliver Edwards

Business Director

Oli is a natural conversationalist who thrives on building strong relationships. He joined Zest as a trainee eight years ago and has progressed to Business Director through hard work, expertise and a genuine commitment to the people he works with. His journey reflects the standards he sets for himself every day and the trust he has built across the food and drink sector.

Specialising in engineering recruitment across the East of England, Oli takes great satisfaction in creating an enjoyable and seamless experience for his candidates and clients. He has built a reputation as a trusted partner who delivers on his promises, gives honest advice and supports long term career and business goals with clear, strategic thinking. His record breaking results and recognition as a top biller reflect both his capability and his consistency.

Oli enjoys a challenge and approaches his work with enthusiasm and humour. As you will quickly discover he enjoys a good laugh which makes his interactions engaging and enjoyable. His passion for his work and his easy going personality remain central to what makes him a standout member of the Zest team.

Sam Jones

Senior Consultant

Sam began his recruitment career in executive search for the medical devices market in Manchester. Seeking a fresh opportunity and a return to his hometown of Stamford, Zest offered the perfect move. Sam was particularly drawn to the Zest experience, where he can support candidates and expand his knowledge of the food and drink production industry.

Over four years later Sam is now overseeing the Production and Operations market, driven by a passion for helping others. He is dedicated to finding the right roles for his candidates, going above and beyond to ensure their success.

Outside of work, Sam enjoys going to the gym, playing football, and taking his dogs for walks around the Peak District and Rutland Water. He balances all the exercise with a love for indulging in unhealthy food, ensuring his lifestyle is full of fun and variety.

Sam’s commitment to helping others and his active lifestyle make him a standout consultant at Zest.

Scarlett Thurlby-Maclean

Director

Scarlett started her career as a designer, having studied at Central St Martins and Loughborough University. After gaining a few years of industry experience, she realised she was seeking more pace and excitement. With an upcoming move to Stamford, her first point of contact was Zest. Over a decade later, recruitment has become a core part of her professional journey.

As the UK’s leading technical consultant, Scarlett primarily collaborates with clients on an exclusive basis and has developed a wide network within the food industry. Taking pride in a transparent approach to recruitment, building strong relationships with both clients and candidates.

With an evolving role, Scarlett supports the team on a broader scale by training and mentoring them in their respective markets – passionate about the success of Zest’s team, the candidates we work with, and the clients we serve.

Shaffiul Islam

Principal Consultant

From estate agency to recruitment, Shaf was brought into Zest to head up the production and operations desk in East Anglia, London, and the Home Counties. With a diverse background in recruitment, Shaf had always been eager to specialise in a particular industry, and Zest’s focus on food made it the perfect fit for his expertise and passion.

A self-confessed foodie, Shaf enjoys seeking out hidden gems in London’s food scene and exploring new culinary experiences. Outside of work, he’s passionate about training in the gym and following the highs and lows of his beloved Manchester United. Additionally, Shaf’s enthusiasm extends to cars, as he’s a true car fanatic.

Shaf’s extensive recruitment experience, combined with his deep personal connection to the food industry, enables him to bring a unique perspective to his role at Zest. His commitment to helping clients and candidates thrive makes him an essential part of the team.