Directors

Andrew Hignet (Chairman)
Andrew has worked in the egg laying business for nearly 50 years he started on a laying farm in the west midlands in 1960 and stayed there for 35 years. In 1995 he took up the position as managing director of the newly formed Hy—Line UK Ltd were he stayed till he was retired 2007 at the age 65.

Andrew was awarded a Nuffield scholarship in 1974 to study egg marketing in the USA from that scholarship came the idea for the Central Egg Agency which was formed in 1976 Andrew was a founder member and has been a board member and chairman for most of that time he now acts as chief executive.

I believe the agency plays an important role not only in trading eggs but also in price determination and it is important that the industry supports its activities.


Bill Holmes - Vice Chairman

I have worked in the UK egg industry since 1968. I became manager of North West egg co—op Twin Valley Eggs in 1974. I remained with this company and it`s parent company Preston Farmers ( AF ) until 1993. At this time I was approached and joined J.Rainford & Sons Ltd. as Managing Director the roll which I still hold.

I joined the board of CEA in 1979 and with the exception of the Chairman I am the longest serving Director. I have always been 100% behind the concept and worth to the UK industry of CEA. The industry does need an honest trader and market barometer and CEA fits the bill without question.

Chris Stocks
General Manager - Sunrise Poultry Farms Ltd.

I have been involved in the egg industry since 1978, when I joined the late Tony Crawley as his first full time sales person at Sunrise Poultry Farms Ltd in Leicestershire, the company which he started in 1971. Sunrise were one of the original members of Central Egg Agency so when I was invited to join the Board of Directors in April 2008 I was delighted to accept. As part of a family farming business heavily involved in production, packing and distribution of all egg types to the whole spectrum of the market, independents, food service and major retailers, I think l have an understanding of the challenges which we all face. l’ve seen many changes in 30 years on both the supply and retail sides of the egg industry but one aspect has remained constant throughout - the need for CEA as a respected, reliable and honest broker between buyer and seller.


Nick Chippindale
MD of Chippindale Foods Limited - Producer and packer of eggs based in Harrogate,North Yorkshire.

A member of CEA for many years Chippindale Foods regularly trade eggs through the very capable and experienced staff at the agency. New to the board in 2008 Nick strongly supports the role of the agency as a fair agent between a willing buyer and willing seller. Whilst Nick accepts that there are challenges ahead, he believes that the current staff and board (a healthy mix of new and experienced industry representatives) will continue to evolve the CEA’s position as an integral part of our industry.




Peter Thornton CEO Noble Foods Ltd.
Having joined Noble Foods in 2008 I am a relative newcomer to the egg industry and the CEA Board, having spent the previous 14 years working in the dairy sector. Given that the most critical operational challenge for any egg business is to manage the delicate supply demand balance in constantly changing market conditions, the CEA has a unique and pivotal role to play in the industry. Acting as a knowledgeable and respected trading hub, the CEA represents with integrity both buyer and seller whilst determining market related trading terms. Undoubtedly the CEA will have a key role to play in the industry landscape well into the future.




N M McHardy
In 1983 after 5 years working in the banking industry for HSBC , I returned , having lived on a poultry farm for many years, to my roots in the egg industry in the family owned business. During April 2008 our company merged with J Rainford and the Pennine brand was formed as a result offering customers a new high quality product into the market. I joined the CEA board in 1992 (some 16 years ago) and have witnessed many changes not only to its membership, but also how CEA has adapted to the ever changing egg market. It has been a privilege to be on the board of directors during those years as I believe the agency has an important role to playin an ever changing egg industry.




David Staveley
Staveleys Eggs Limited has been a member of the agency since its foundation and has always been a strong supporter of its role. The Central Egg Agency is an essential part of our business and the British Egg Industry as a whole, providing a trusted, effective and well respected trading centre for the buying and selling of eggs. I am proud and privileged to serve on the board of directors of such an important organisation.







Gareth Griffiths
Gareth is a partner in the family business JA & O Griffiths based close to Wen in Shropshire the company farm over six thousand acres and have a substantial egg operation.

Gareth is responsible for the Oakland site which has over a million layers which supplies eggs on line to a highly automated packing station which presently packs in excess of 30,000 cases per week also produces liquid egg and has a facility to boil eggs.

I believe the agency plays a very important role in the industry and should always be the first call for producers to sell or buy uncommitted eggs.

Robert Chapman
Robert Chapman has been in the poultry industry for nearly 40 years and understands the importance of being able to buy and sell eggs quickly. Having grown Farmlay Eggs to be the second largest independent producer and packer in Scotland. Robert also sits on the NFUS Poultry Committee and participates in various other initiatives in his local area of Banff & Buchan in the North East of Scotland.

"Central Egg Agency gives packers a place to both buy and sell aggs efficiently and to ensure that we work together as an industry. it also provides a forum for packers to discuss the challenges and share the best ways in which to overcome them"

Robert is very proud to have been asked to be a director of Central Egg Agency and looks forward to working with his felow directors in the future.

Clive Frampton
I have spent my working life in the Egg Products Industry and I am currently Chairman of the British Egg Products Association and Chairman of the European Egg Products Association.

The C.E.A. is an excellent supply source for UK Egg processors and its importance to this sector is continuing to grow.

I am confident that the C.E.A. will continue to meet the needs of our UK egg industry.





Pam Corbett
Managing Director Stonegate Farmers Ltd

I have been an egg producer and involved in the poultry industry all my life and therefore understand the important role the CEA plays.
Through its experienced and knowledgeable staff, the organisation provides an efficient and effective platform to buy and sell eggs.
I believe the egg industry will continue to evolve and change in the future and no doubt the CEA will play an significant role going forward.