A jam factory stalwart who rose through the ranks is set to retire from the firm after 40 years.

Ian Thurgood started out at the celebrated Wilkin and Sons plant at Tiptree in Essex as a farm work in 1976, but moved to transport and later sales and marketing before becoming joint managing director 10 years ago.

He cites corporate fundraising as the most satisfying part of his role at Tiptree, including the Tiptree Strawberry Race, Rotary ‘Spread and Save’ and National Cream Tea Day.

“I’ve had the good fortune to work with some exceptional people at Wilkin and Sons,” he said.

“I hope that some of what I’ve learned along the way has rubbed off onto others. Of course I shall be sad to leave after so many years, but I am looking forward to finding new challenges.”

Chairman Peter Wilkin, great-grandson of the firm’s founder, employed Ian in 1976.

“Over the course of the years he has worked here Ian has played a very major part in the expansion and development of Wilkin and Sons in general, and the Tiptree brand in particular, and for which the company is very grateful,” he said.

“He will undoubtedly be missed and he leaves with our very best wishes for the future.”