Like life, walking a crop is a subjective experience where you can always find something to worry about; something that could have been done better. Whether I focus on the pigeon-pecked, aphid ridden stunted plants or the vigorous healthy ones, how the veg appears can be as much to do with my mood as their relative numbers in the field; but I’ve learned that it’s always a good idea to take a second look before getting too excited or depressed. Having said that, seeing the new crops being harvested for your boxes this week, it looks like we have made a good start to the new season. I might even risk a smile.
But will those smiles be turned to beans in the bank? Our Finance Director Steve, who has been so good at giving me the answer to this for the last seven years, is leaving us this summer to progress his bean counting with a career among cheesemakers. He is proving hard to replace, in part because I am having trouble resigning myself to the outrageous salaries earned by those at the top of his profession. While a leek puller’s remuneration has risen by a measly 10% or so since the recession, market rates for executive pay appears to have risen by 50% (especially for anyone in IT or accounts), making it hard to accommodate our self-imposed discipline on how much those at the top earn relative to those at the bottom. My hope is that this message might reach someone with the qualifications and experience we need, and who is prepared to trade a bit of salary and a suit for mud on their shoes, a fine view, and the pleasures of a relaxed and beautiful place of work in a determined and dynamic team on a mission to change the way business is done. Lunch is pretty good too.
Talking of lunch; we are also looking for a head chef for our pub in Islington. Relative to the norms of this profession the pay is more generous but in contrast to its other norms we would love to find someone who can communicate without shouting, even when slammed (busy, in kitchen speak). They must also, of course, love cooking from scratch using seasonal vegetables.
Visit www.riverford.co.uk/jobs to find out more about both of these posts.
0 Comments