Patrick Steel, appointed as Group Managing Director in March 2023, has been a pivotal part of the company since 2014. His journey through various roles has endowed him with a deep understanding of the Agrifood and compliance sectors. With a Master's in HR Management and a postgraduate diploma in Employment Law, Patrick is also a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. His leadership is marked by strategic foresight and a commitment to driving MLC's growth and reinforcing its position as a leader in classification services. Under his guidance, MLC has seen both internal development and external expansion, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in the industry.

Diego Sprekelsen, as Group Operations Director at Vorenta Ltd., plays a pivotal role in driving excellence across companies like HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services and Meat & Livestock Classification. Appointed in March 2023, alongside Patrick and Penny Thorne, following a management buyout, Diego's extensive experience at HallMark now benefits MLC. With over two decades in Veterinary Public Health and Regulatory Compliance, his expertise has been vital to HallMark's growth and success. Diego is committed to high performance, cooperative approaches, excellent leadership, and building strong professional relationships. His impact includes streamlining operations, leading growth initiatives, and aligning Vorenta Ltd's goals with its subsidiaries, fostering innovation and sustainable growth in the agri-food sector.

Penny Thorne, Group Finance Director with over 30 years of expertise, is pivotal in steering the financial and IT operations at MLC. Her diverse experience across sectors, particularly in the Agrifood industry, equips her to manage complex financial landscapes effectively. Penny's strategic approach has been instrumental in securing vital expansion funding and crafting financial strategies that drive MLC's growth. Her financial acumen ensures the company's stability and influences its strategic decisions, positioning MLC as a leader in its field with a robust financial foundation.

Leigh Grant

Leigh Grant, as the Commercial Director of HallMark, brings over 30 years of experience from blue-chip food businesses where he held various Sales and Marketing Board positions, and gained extensive knowledge and experience from his tenure as Chief Executive of the RSPCA's farm assurance scheme. During this time, Leigh was a recognised by the European Commission as an expert speaker in the field of farm animal welfare and was a member of the standards committee for Humane Farm Animal Care in Washington DC. His expertise in sales, marketing and food assurance schemes is invaluable in developing HallMark's commercial strategies and maintaining key customer and supplier relationships. Leigh's strategic approach, and industry insights, are pivotal in driving HallMark's market presence and growth.

Jacqueline Hartwell

A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, Jack brings over 20 years of senior HR leadership experience across sectors including publishing, high-tech, life sciences, and professional services. She has led global HR teams, delivered major organisational redesigns, and driven people strategies across complex, multi-national environments.
Before joining MLC, Jack was HR Operations Director at Centaur Media plc, where she oversaw a significant transformation programme. She previously held Global Head of HR roles, where she led cultural change and introduced strategic initiatives in talent, engagement, leadership development, and HR systems. Her expertise strengthens MLC’s commitment to people, performance, and growth.

Steve Peaty joined MLC in 1997 and has built a distinguished career shaped by resilience, technical expertise, and a commitment to continual improvement. Beginning his journey during the challenging era of the BSE epidemic, Steve’s early responsibilities included cattle weighing and recording, as well as supporting key programmes such as CPAS for calves.
Over the years, he developed comprehensive expertise across pig, sheep, and cattle classification, and provided relief classification across multiple plants. His strong operational understanding and leadership skills led him into management, where he successfully oversaw operations across Northern England, the North Midlands, and the East.
Now appointed Head of Operations, Steve brings decades of hands-on experience and strategic oversight to the role. He leads operational delivery across all regions, ensuring service quality, consistency, and innovation remain at the core of MLC’s work. With NEBOSH certification and a long-standing focus on health and safety, Steve continues to champion safe working practices and supports teams across multiple sites.
His belief in learning, adapting, and leading by example remains central to his approach, and to the high standards he upholds for MLC’s classification service.

George Allan's journey with MLC since 2006 showcases his versatility and depth of expertise. As a former farm manager and NFUS committee member, George brings a wealth of agricultural knowledge to his role. His responsibilities encompass overseeing operations in Scotland, Northern England, and the Isle of Man, including collaboration with the Manx government. He manages a team that ensures the independence of classification services across 11 abattoirs. George's dedication to the agricultural community is evident in his active involvement in breeding programs at his family's smallholding and his commitment to delivering educational workshops for livestock producers. His experience on both sides of the farm gate provides him with unique insights into the needs and challenges of the industry, making him a valuable leader in promoting transparency and independence in MLC's services.

Lyndon Roberts, as the Operations Manager for Wales, the Midlands & the South West at MLC, has been an integral part of the team since 2005. His role began as a Carcase Service Officer, where he demonstrated exceptional skills in meat processing, carcase classification, and adhering to strict hygiene and safety standards. Over the years, Lyndon's profound understanding of the industry and meticulous approach to work have significantly enhanced MLC's operations across his region. His rise to the role of Operations Manager reflects his unwavering dedication and hard work. Now managing 12 sites and a dynamic team of 21, Lyndon is renowned for maintaining top-notch service quality and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. His leadership style, which combines a deep knowledge of meat processing with a commitment to operational excellence, has been crucial in upholding MLC's high standards of service and reliability.

Meet The Senior Management Team

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