About Wilkin & Sons
Wilkin & Sons Ltd is a preserve maker, best known for its iconic Tiptree brand of jams, marmalades, and related products. Founded in 1885 in Tiptree, Essex, the business remains closely connected to its farming estate and local community. With a vertically integrated model, much of the fruit used in its preserves is grown on the farm, ensuring quality from field to jar.
The Challenge
Wilkin & Sons appointed MorePeople on an exclusive basis to recruit a new Sales Director during a critical period for the business. Following a phase of distribution challenges, the priority was to stabilise performance, rebuild key retail relationships, and secure future listings.
The successful candidate needed to balance hands-on commercial leadership with strategic thinking, while inspiring and leading teams through change in a fast-paced, complex environment. It was a rare and demanding brief.
Our Approach
We worked in close partnership with Wilkin & Sons to define clear priorities and success criteria for the role. Our search focused on candidates with strong branded food experience, multi-channel sales expertise, senior leadership exposure, and a proven track record of delivery.
Given the absence of a commercial lead, pace was essential. We moved quickly to engage the market and presented a high-quality shortlist of candidates capable of making an immediate and lasting impact.
The Outcome
Following a thorough and efficient search process, Katie Steinle was appointed as Sales Director. She brought the right blend of commercial capability, leadership experience, and cultural fit, aligning closely with the wider senior leadership team.
Katie’s appointment has provided Wilkin & Sons with the stability and strategic direction needed to support its next phase of growth.
"Having worked with MorePeople previously, I was confident in partnering with them exclusively on this key hire. Tom quickly delivered high-quality candidates and demonstrated a strong understanding of both our business and what the role required. He communicated clearly throughout the process, providing valuable insight into the market and the search. This gave us real confidence that a thorough, considered approach had been taken and that we were seeing the very best available options."
Stephen Cook, Head of HR
