Two members of the Senior Management Team at a Middleton-on-the-Wolds poultry business are celebrating after gaining additional qualifications.

Soanes Poultry’s Factory Manager, Dmitrijus Solovjovas has completed a Level 5 apprenticeship in Operations/Departmental Management, and Health, Safety and Procurement Manager, Kevin Holderness has gained a NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety.

Mr Solovjovas studied part-time at the University of Lincoln and modules included: Factory design, Project management, Health and safety, Management, Food Sector Business, Finance, People and Performance.

“I am enjoying applying what I learnt on the course at work and would like to build on this with further studies in the future,” he said.

Mr Holderness studied online for his certificate and was examined on subjects including Health and Safety management systems, Managing risk, Physical and psychological health, Chemical and biological agents and workplace issues.

“The course and qualification will be very beneficial to many aspects of my job and I’m very grateful to the business for their support in my studies. I hope to go on and study for the NEBOSH Diploma in due course.”

Both Mr Solovjovas and Mr Holderness report to Soanes Poultry's Operations Manager, Simon Rodgers, who said:

"Dmitrijus and Kevin have worked hard out of hours for these qualifications and thoroughly deserve their respective successes. Their new skills will add value to the Senior Management Team and the business as a whole.”

Soanes Poultry is a family-owned business which has been rearing and preparing chicken since 1947. It employs 120 people and sells its chicken to butchers, independent retailers and restaurants in Yorkshire and to wholesalers and catering butchers nationwide.