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Martin Shea – Over 50 years in the poultry industry!

Martin entered the turkey industry in 1966 working for E. W. Webster (Lancashire Turkeys); following graduation from Harper Adams University in 1970 when he joined British United Turkeys Ltd (B.U.T.) as a Management Trainee. Following a series of promotions within the live production area Martin was appointed Director of Live Production in 1984.

Image from 1998: Presenting a turkey to 10 Downing Street, received by Cherie Blair. Martin Shea (right) was accompanied by John Walker (left) from the British Turkey Federation. 

 

In 1987 Martin was appointed to the position of Managing Director, British United Turkeys Ltd (B.U.T.).

The B.U.T. business was acquired by Aviagen® in the mid 2000’s leading to the establishment of Aviagen Turkeys Ltd (ATL). Martin headed up the ATL business and in 2008 established Hockenhull Turkeys Ltd., (a subsidiary of ATL).

Hockenhull Turkeys is a pedigree breeder of heritage and traditional turkey breeds that produce, hatch and sell day old turkey eggs and poults to the UK turkey producers targeting the Christmas market. Martin was Vice Chairman of the British Turkey Federation for a decade and awarded the Rupert Chalmers-Watson Trophy in 1998 and the Anglian Turkey Association Goodchild Trophy in 2011, both for services to the UK Turkey Industry. Martin has since also won the 2019 Poultry Person of the Year award during the Egg and Poultry Industry Awards Conference (EPIC).

Martin Shea , Managing Director of Hockenhull Turkeys receiving his award for Poultry Person of the Year 2019 from Richard Griffiths Chief Executive of the British Poultry Council.
 

Martin has been married to his wife Ann for 44 years, has 3 children and 5 grandchildren and when not working enjoys his family and fishing in different parts of the world.

On 31st July 2020 Martin retired from our business bringing a 50 year career with the same company to a close and is very proud of his achievement – “One company, one wife and one house” is the reason for his success. Martin is looking forward to the next chapter of his life.