People Stories
Our people make us unique and have enabled James Cropper to form long standing relationships with our clients, suppliers and other valued stakeholders.
James Cropper plc is a company with global reach and ambitions characterised by cultural and individual diversity. To secure and guarantee continuity of our knowledge and expertise, James Cropper continues to invest in talent selection, training and education.

Stefan Pryor
Market Sector Manager
Stefan Pryor's Story
“I joined James Cropper PLC as a Business Administration Apprentice in 2008 and completed my NVQ Level 2 and 3. In 2009 I started working as a trainee within the sales team and the business supported my decision to pursue a Business and Management degree via distance learning.
Since graduating I’ve been promoted to another great role, this time in marketing. As a Market Sector Manager, I develop our strategy for the packaging sector, providing direction and support to our sales team.”

Kerry Wilson
Accountancy Apprentice
Kerry Wilson's Story
“I first started working at James Cropper PLC in a part-time role, providing administration support to the payroll department. I recently had the opportunity to begin an Accountancy Apprenticeship supported by James Cropper PLC.
This means I can continue my current role while studying for an Advanced Diploma in AAT at Kendal College – an opportunity that will enable me to progress from working in administration to an accountancy-based role.”

Mark Starrs
Master Colour Blender
Mark Starrs's Story
"I've been doing this job for 27 years and no two days are ever the same. I find colour exciting. The value it holds for brands. The way people perceive it - the way it can influence decisions and create emotion. The way it responds to its environment and appears differently in different conditions.
It's only because of our experience that we are able to control all of these factors to create powerful, consistent colour results on any scale. I work directly with clients because they care so deeply about colour. You can imagine how rewarding it is to create something they previously thought was impossible."

Caroline Noble
Head of Information Services
Caroline Noble's Story
“The folks at Croppers are welcoming with a great dose of northern charm. The area is outstanding and you could not ask for a more beautiful place to work & live. In terms of my own role, whilst challenging it is hugely rewarding. For Information Technology our direction of travel is to partner our business to provide strategic enablement right across the group. So there are great opportunities to contribute to real business change and seeing our team’s stamp on that transformation. My favourite part of the role is and will always be working with great folks within and outside our company. Our teams & the relationships we have are our greatest assets and from which all good progress is made.”

Joe Gannon
Senior Material Scientist
Joe Gannon's Story
"Working at TFP continuously provides me with a highly rewarding and fulfilling career. Every day presents me with new challenges which require me to work in range of different environments alongside a varied workforce. I feel very lucky to be able to play my part contributing to TFP during this exciting period of growth."

Kate Rowling
Head of Health, Safety, Environment and Paper Quality
Kate Rowling's Story
Starting a new job in a different company is exciting but can be daunting! From day 1 I have really enjoyed my new role at Croppers. Everyone is friendly and has been very helpful when trying to understand how everything works. It’s clear that everyone is very proud to work for the company.

Steve Atkinson
Finance Manager
Steve Atkinson's Story
I started at James Cropper PLC in 1988 and, after 10 years working in production, the Group supported my studies for an HNC in Business with Finance which led to an opportunity with the finance team. Since then, I have completed my accountancy qualifications and currently work as Finance Manager for the Paper division.
I am a big supporter of the Group developing its own talent whilst at the same time, recognising the benefits of best practice and wider experience that new recruits from outside the organisation can bring.