Meet the team

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.

Steve Hamilton’s journey at MLC since 1985 exemplifies dedication and growth. He brings a wealth of experience from his early days in a pig abattoir, where he honed his skills in butchery and slaughtering. His career at MLC began in pig carcase classification and soon expanded to beef and sheep, covering numerous centres in the South West and beyond. Promoted to Divisional Manager in 2000, he was responsible for 16 abattoirs and 2 markets. In 2020, Steve ascended to Head of Operations for the MLC classification team, overseeing a significant number of employees and broadening his scope to national standards and the implementation of advanced classification technologies. His role has been pivotal in integrating advanced technologies like Video Image Analysis (VIA) and maintaining consistent classification standards across all species. Now in his 39th year with MLC, Steve's dedication to continuous learning, technological advancement, and collaborative teamwork continues to be a cornerstone of MLC's growth and high service quality.

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.

Steve Peaty's tenure at MLC, starting in 1997, has been marked by his resilience and adaptability. Starting during the challenging times of the BSE epidemic, Steve's initial role involved cattle weighing and recording, alongside delivering key schemes like CPAS for calves. He rapidly expanded his expertise, achieving proficiency in pig, sheep, and cattle classification, and taking on relief classification roles in various plants. Steve's progression to managing operations across Northern England, the North Midlands, and the East is a testament to his leadership and commitment to continuous improvement. With his NEBOSH certification, he also plays a pivotal role in health and safety, overseeing around 45 staff across 14 sites, and implementing systems to ensure a safe working environment. His philosophy of learning and adapting is integral to his approach to work.

Meet The Senior Management Team