The 2019 Poultry Person winner is Martin Shea, Managing Director, Hockenhull Turkeys.
Martin entered the turkey industry in 1966 working for E.W.Webster (Lancashire Turkeys), following graduation from Harper Adams University in 1970 he joined British United Turkeys Ltd (BUT) as a Management Trainee. Following a series of promotions within the live production area Martin was appointed Director of Live Production in 1984.
In 1987 Martin was appointed to the position of Managing Director, British United Turkeys Ltd.
British United Turkeys of America (BUTA) was formed in the early 1980’s and with the consolidation of the two businesses under a single leadership Martin was appointed VP Worldwide Turkeys in 1994.
Both the BUTA and BUT businesses were acquired by Aviagen in the mid 2000’s leading to the establishment of Aviagen Turkeys Inc., and Aviagen Turkeys Ltd. Martin headed up the Aviagen Turkeys Ltd business through 2008 following which he established Hockenhull Turkeys Ltd., (a subsidiary of Aviagen Turkeys Ltd). Hockenhull Turkeys is a pedigree breeder of heritage and traditional turkey breeds who 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 been married to Ann for 44 years and has 3 children and 5 grandchildren and when not working enjoys his family and fishing in different parts of the world.
In July 2020 Martin will retire from the 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 and is looking forward to the next chapter of his life.