Gary Tomlins Email & Phone Number

Uk; Senegal ; Tanzania

Building on success of Kusi Ltd Tanzania in fresh produce (now approaching is 400th shipment), a great team of women managers, growing chillies and baby vegetables. Supplying a great and supportive customer. Diversified into chilli sauce in 2020 - MAMA MOTO created by Annie Mae, my daughter a professional food product developer. COVID slowed it down but we are poised to target market lodges, hotels and restaurants - to get the addictive flavour well known.More chillies recipes followed and both Father and Daughter realised what a wealth of flavours there are behind the 'Hot' in the chilli - so we developed a range of sauces and mashes - and lots more ideas to launch into the UK. The vision to capture flavours from Africa, put into pots, bags or bottles and sell in UK & Europe. Gary diversified into Senegal in 2018 - starting Kusi SARL, with an eye to the fast sea shipping lines between Dakar and Europe, both for fresh produce to EU markets and to install a small processing facility - to semi process the great chilli product ideas that were brewing! Feisty Foods was set up in UK to market fresh and processed chillies, and the European presence is adding credibility and price to our sales. Presently setting up a processing / finishing base in Devon UK, and recieved a container of processing equipment from China in late September - ready to go!! Meanwhile October sees KUSI SARL Senegal undergoing first GLOBAL GAP audit, the SEDEX audit already passed and will start shipping fresh chillies by the end of the 2021.A real adventure, vertical learning curve, finding and inspired by the good people along the way as long as the money lasts we have the energy and will to see this exciting project all the way to the supermarket shelves

Arusha, Tanzania

Developing from nothing an export operation. Now selling fresh produce into Europe from Tanzania and in October 2021 will make our 400th shipment. Substantial effort in developping chilli sauce processing and marketing - Mama Moto for sale in East Africa - roll out delayed due to COVID

Worldwide

Consulting company for work with CBI, Netherlands. 2007-presentFramework contractor for COLACP - Fit for Market programme as African Agrobusiness advisor. 2019 - Horticultural Appraisal of The Gambia for FAO/COLEACPPIP Pesticide Initiative Programme 2007 to 2008; USAID/TIPCEE project, Ghana 2006 -2007 ;USAID/ATEA (Agribusiness Trade and Expansion) (through Fintrac Inc.) Ethiopia 2006 – 2007; Equatorial Capital Ventures (ECV), Ghana 2004 – 2007; Commonwealth Secretariat / Food Surveys, Nigeria 2005/6; USAID/KHDC project, Kenya (through Fintrac Inc.) 2004 – 2005 ;USAID/TIRP project, Ghana (through Fintrac inc.) 2001 – 2004 ;USAID Agricultural Assessment, Ghana 2003 (through Fintrac Inc.); USAID/HAP project, Haiti (through Fintrac Inc.) 2003; USAID/IDEA project, Uganda (through Fintrac Inc.) 2000 – 2004 ; Mack Multiples, UK & Morocco 2003/4 ; Saturnalia, UK 2003 Uganda & Jordan; Riverford Organic Marketing, UK ; High Value Horticulture, UK; Nehadag Agronomy, Oman-

Worldwide

Meeting and auditing fresh produce companies worldwide to evaluate their potential to supply the EU and market assessments of a market for their produce. Responsible for the mentoring, training and guiding of selected companies to make them export ready and accompany them to exhibit at the Fruit Logisitca exhibibtion - the worlds biggest Fresh Fruit and Vegetable trade fair also and BioFACH. Guiding companies in their promotion, marketing, buyer introductions and setting up supply deals and contracts. Visits in country to meet, assess and assist participants Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Madagascar, East Africa; Thailand, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka; Tanzania; Serbia 2008- 2013 for first world wide programme. Second West Africa focus programme - Mali, Benin, Burkino Faso and Senegal annually 2012 - 8. Jordan programme in 2019

Arusha Tanzania

Responsible for identifying potential TZ agricultural businesses and designing partnership and funding schemes for up to $1m per year of intervention capital. Working with all levels of business from producers supplying local value chains to those exporting to EU, initiating programmes to improve business performance, production and quality.

Vendee, West France

Managing director and 50% shareholder in organic operation in West France. Spearheading early season and early production site to supply Riverford Organic Vegetables (UK largest distributor www.riverford.co.uk) Setting up production systems, mechanizing, establishing infrastructure, trialling new crops, building fertility through leys for organic conversion and liaising with French specialists, producer groups, government officers. Building turn over from zero to over Euros 0.5 million in three seasons, based on export to UK of Lettuce, Leaf vegetable, sweetcorn, courgettes, turnips, carrots, peppers, melons, baby turnips, cabbage and Kohl Rabi.

Uk

Managing with my wife a small enterprise importing flowers, growing flowers and drying for internet sales. Mainly to the U.K. wedding and party markets. Maintaining web site www.passionforpetals.com Responsible for product supply and programming in liaison with production site in Ghana. Company secretary responsible for accounting, marketing. product development, design, pricing and sales. Turn-over has reached over £66,000 per year

Kenya

Planned production and agronomic policy. Responsible at board level for planning production over 5 production sites (300ha) and 1,100 outgrowers. Supplying M&S, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, with Vegetables - Runner Bean, Mange tout, Fine bean and Sugar Snap Salad Onions, Lettuce leeks spinach, salads ($50m+/year)’ Flowers – Roses (24m stems / year), Carnations (30m stems), Lisianthus (2m stems), Fillers (Gypsophilia, Aster, Limonium, Eucalyptus, foiliages), Summer flowers (Total ($45m+ / year), Fruit – Strawberries (60 acre), Liason with Buyers on visits to Kenya and in UK (M&S, Tesco, Sainsburies, Waitrose,Asda).

Alentejo, Portugal

Exports targeted for winter months in UK and Northern European markets. Strawberries, raspberries, melons and iceberg lettuce.

Asturias, Spain

Developing the export of late-season produce to the UK

Kent, Uk

Responsible for all aspects of staffing, production and packing on a 45 hectare fruit farm producing strawberries, apples, and pears. All produce was destined to major retail and wholesale markets.

London, United Kingdom

Responsible for vetting potential development projects and recruiting

Kano, Nigeria

A World Bank project to develop the rural economy and infrastructure of Kano state in north Nigeria. responsibilities covered field trials Developed water sources. Managed a pilot initiative aimed at exporting fine beans, melons and tomatoes to Europe. Placement through VSO

B.Sc, Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences, Upper Second Class

Agronomy on Temperate and Tropical Crops

Education record