Let's meet ...
Jane Ritchie
In October 2007 I joined AF, although back then it was still Anglia Farmers.
To Inverness … and beyond
Based at Keswick Hall, I was employee number 43 and worked in the invoicing team … how times have changed! Since then, I’ve worked in both the Fuels and Livestock Inputs teams, finally coming to rest in Member Services, my favourite job of all.
As Membership Account Manager I’m responsible for bringing new Members into the co-operative, finding the best membership level for them. I also look after current Members, visiting you at your own farms and rural businesses. This takes me all over the country from East Anglia upwards. I went right up to Inverness last November, how lucky am I?
Each day is different and each Member has their own challenges. I work with our procurement teams to make sure that we offer you new ideas and solutions to problems that work for your farm or rural business.
Making changes
I have seen a number of changes at AF and been part of the journey we’ve travelled on with you, our Members. Although I’m not exactly the youngest of us here at AF, I find each change and challenge exciting. I embrace each one as it comes along, helping make AF the excellent place it is to work.
Life around and after work
I sometimes wonder how I have time to work! I have a very patient husband, 2 lovely daughters, a 14 month old granddaughter, a future son-in-law, 4 working spaniels and a horse. I am on the Executive Committee of the Aylsham Show, running the Show Horse Section with all that involves. We have a classic car and my husband and I compete in car rallies a few times a year. We used to rally so this is a much more sedate occupation. I love travel and am lucky enough to have visited a lot of the world, putting my PADI diving qualification to good use. I also like to garden, but this is a challenge as our 2/3rd acre garden is also the home of numerous rabbits and a herd of Red Deer, who live in our woods behind the garden. Unfortunately they don’t eat the weeds, just the plants, so we have some interesting ‘topiaried’ shrubs.
What the future holds
Retirement beckons and at the end of April 2024, I will be leaving AF. It will be difficult to leave; I adore being busy, have made a lot of friends in the years I’ve been here, gained a massive amount of knowledge and met numerous Members, a lot of whom have become firm friends. I’m sure that between my husband, family, the Aylsham Show, and the travelling that we have planned, I will keep busy. But I will always consider it an honour and a great pleasure to have worked with you, our Members.
Jane Ritchie Membership Account Manager
jane.ritchie@af.farm 01603 881 872
