Mr. Eddie Honeywell Master 2019–2020
Eddie retired in 2018 after a career in the meat and food industry spanning more than sixty years.
Whilst at school he worked weekends in a local butchers business, leaving school for full time employment the week before his fifteenth birthday. The following years gave him the base of craft skill, knowledge and experience to support him throughout his working life. He attended night school gaining the Meat Trades Diploma and a place on a one year Meat Technology course at Blackpool Technical College; this in turn led to employment with The Vesty Group as a Management Trainee. In 1969 he joined Marks and Spencer Ltd. where his position as Meat Specialist/Technologist involved extensive travel across the UK, Europe, New Zealand and USA.
In 1978 he was appointed Fresh Food Director at Amos Hinton Ltd a regional Supermarket Group, extending his field of experience and knowledge to include produce, fish and bakery, enjoying success as these areas were developed and extended. Following the takeover of the company and after a brief spell with Northern Foods Eddie joined the Board of Dalepak Foods prior to its flotation on the stock market becoming Deputy Managing Director.
Since 2001 he has worked as a consultant to many food companies.
Eddie is married to Anne, a retired nurse, they have three children Neil, Sara and Amy and ten grandchildren.
His leisure time is taken up with domestic and grandparent duties, epic cycle rides, walking, travel, theatre and music concerts. He is an active supporter of charities involved in the care of disabled children.
Eddie is a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, A Freeman of the City of London and a Fellow of the Institute of Meat.
In his speech at the Shrove Tuesday Feast, The Master spoke of the importance of Apprenticeships:
“I am pleased that yet again we are hosting our Norman Wright Apprentice of the Year Award […] Apprentices are important in all industries and I would like to see the Gild build on this and support the development of young people across all sectors of our industry.”