While the credit crunch may have seen other businesses cutting back on their workforce, the directors at Pennywell Farm, near Buckfastleigh have been putting together a new management team to take their growing tourist attraction forward.
The award winning attraction has already seen a steady increase in visitor numbers over the past few years despite the economic downturn. It employs more than 75 people during the main season with fifteen of those staff enjoying year round employment.
Mark Wibberley, 36 joined Pennywell in March as Operations and Projects Manager. He will be responsible for the smooth day to day running of the attraction as well as making sure that the site is immaculate. Mark comes from a successful career in project management with an international Telecommunications company, based in Berkshire. Mark has a young family who will be joining him in relocating to Devon where he already has family living in Shaldon.
Filling the new post of Human Resources and Training Manager is 28 year old Catherine Tozer. Catherine joined Pennywell part time when she was just 14 years old and has worked her way up through the business and can now bring a wealth of expertise and experience to her team.
The other recent appointment is Wendy Harvey, 36 who is Pennywell’s new catering manager. Sue Ryder had previously held the post for nearly twenty one years and joined Pennywell at the very beginning. She retired in May and Wendy who has 15 years experience in catering will be the new face in Henny Penny’s Café as well as overseeing Pennywell’s other food outlets.
Pennywell Farm is a family business, owned and run by husband and wife team, Chris and Nicky Murray. There is a family feel throughout the company and having a heart for what Pennywell does, offering visitors an exceptional day, is the winning attitude shared by the new management team.
Nicky explains, “There are many skills that people can learn over a period of time but a joyful spirit and a willingness to serve is something that no training course can successfully deliver.”
“The people that we employ are trusted to give families a great day out and they must have the desire to make our visitors happy before anything else.”
At Pennywell, staff are given ownership of their particular role and are encouraged to be innovative and creative, while always putting the interest of the visitor first. Employment at Pennywell almost has the feel of being self employed with having freedom to grow whilst enjoying the security of regular employment.
Chris continues, “We are thrilled to have the new team in place and feel confident that Pennywell’s visitors, staff and animals will all benefit from the new appointments.”
“The team will help us to build on Pennywell’s reputation as Devon’s Friendliest Day Out”.
ENDS
Editors Notes
Pennywell Farm is 3 minutes off the A38, one mile south of Buckfastleigh
Pennywell holds the South West Tourism Excellence Silver Award for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year 2008/9
Pennywell was named South Hams Business of the Year 2008 in the South Devon Excellence Awards.
Pennywell was a founder member of the Green Tourism Business Scheme and holds the gold award.
Chris Murray 01364 642023 or 07734 572846
