Who are we and what do we do?
At Plum we like to be very open and honest about what we believe in and what we do. Find out more about us, please take a look below.
When our third child, Francesca (aka Minky) arrived after a gap of eight years, my first thought on revisiting the baby aisles was ‘is this as good as it gets?' Little appeared to have changed over the years.
That's why, to a mum who is passionate about two things in life - kids and good food - the idea for Plum was conceived. After all, why shouldn't busy mums and dads have access to both quality and convenience, using recipes that comprise the finest organic superfood ingredients in a simple and safe format that suits their lifestyle? Two years of extensive research, hard work and great teamwork later, I am proud to offer Plum real food for babies to parents everywhere who want the best for their children.
Plum Baby believes in Taste.
Taste is what makes eating one of life’s greatest pleasures. And because a taste for the good things in life develops at a very early age, we think it’s something everyone should enjoy from the moment they’re born. That’s why we provide real food for babies, not just baby food. We think that someday all baby food will be made this wayTaste is about enhancing flavours by combining different ingredients, so we use adventurous ingredients like beetroot and pomegranate. We also think that great taste comes from using natural wholesome stuff, so we only use organic ingredients from identifiable sources and don’t add sugars, fillers or any artificial anything. (And because we use super-foods like quinoa all our products are really good for you too.But great taste is also much more than just an experience for the palate. Taste is about the smell, the look and the feel. Taste is about discovery - about trying things you’ve never tried before and developing and stimulating the senses.That’s why, with the same thought and attention we’ve always put into our recipes, Plum offers a complete sensory experience to help parents develop their young babies’ minds, as well as their palates.At Plum, we want to start your baby on a journey of discovery.“Plum. A Taste of Things to Come.”
Plum promotes responsible trade.
Helping people with disabilites release their potential
Food pots into water pipes
Treading with care to be carbon responsible.
Waste no want not with recycled paper.
The stamp of approval.
Whenever and wherever possible we strive to make Plum an ethical business looking out for the well being of people and the planet. Plum believe in ethical partnerships and practicing what we preach.We are pleased to be ‘friends' of New Consumer magazine. The ‘friends' help to support many projects, including them the Irupana Project. It's a pioneering project fund for farmers in South America involved in the growing of Fairtrade quinoa grain. Quinoa (nutritionally better than rice) is a key ingredient in each one of our pots.
We are very proud to say that our re-packing and sending of samples is carried out for us by Enham, a charity that gives disabled adults opportunities to make real choices for a fulfilling life. Amongst other things Enham have commercial enterprises that provide direct employment opportunities for disabled people, improve access to essential products and services and generate income to support Enham's charitable objectives. To find out more about this very worthwhile charity please click here.
Our polymer pots are 100% recyclable which means they can be turned into other useful things like guttering and pipes. It doesn't stop there! All our day-to-day used office paper, cardboard, bottles and cans are recycled via dove recycling.
With the help of the Carbon Neutral Company we have taken great care to track our carbon footprint. So we are ever mindful to work to lower our impact on the environment. Log onto their website and learn how we can all help to make less of an impact on the planet.
Wherever possible, all our paper and stationery items are made from recycled stuff like reclaimed waste paper, vending machine cups and even car tyres. It's remarkable what you can do with a little thought. We like to use Remarkable Recycled Products.
We have a regular collection for used stamps and bottle tops and they go off to local charities to raise funds - there's so much you can do with just a little effort.
Below are the people that make up the Plum family. Click on the names to find out more!
ChrisFinancial Assistant
I work in Finance with Elaine here at Plum Baby and knew from the moment I arrived I would love it as my favourite colour is purple (although I am fond of my special toaster at home which is pink!)
Being within an authentic business is important to me - can't stand this "all the gear but no idea" talk without substance, and Plum just isn't like that.
Married to Robert with two daughters I am rural to the soles of my wellies but love to visit cities, especially to shop and I suffer withdrawal symptoms if I don't visit a garden centre once a month at least.
ColinHead of Technical
Main role - 'El Fruito' (chief fruit), responsible for sourcing ingredients and the technical (science bit) of the business. When not ferrying my son to rugby training and matches, I love to fly fish and spend time in the garden. Maxine and I have four children, the youngest 6 months, so she has been chomping on Plum samples and giving us her opinions! Main ambition, to become an ecological family and sustain ourselves as far as possible (back to the Good Life).
ElaineFinancial Controller
As Financial Controller I hold all the ££££'s ......so everybody is very polite to me!! Husband Carl, little daughter Emily, Treacle the cat and Molly the rabbit keep me pretty busy when I'm not in the office. Any spare time I do get I love to go to aerobics or out for a walk. I dream of travelling to far flung places!
JuliaOffice Manager
Hello my name is Julia, and I have been with the plum family since October 2006. Having officially 'retired' last year, I was introduced to this young, but incredibly successful company by my hairdresser, and was easily lured back into the world of work after hearing all about their dreams and aspirations. My role of Office Manager is a varied one, not only assuring the smooth day to day running of the office, but helping all the other Plums in any way I can. I have been married to Trevor for 41 years; have 2 fine sons and 4 amazing grandchildren. I love to garden, read romantic novels, travel, have fun and games with my grandchildren and entertain our friends, and I absolutely love my job... already!!!
PatrickCEO
I am Chief Plum and my job is to co-ordinate what everybody is doing to make sure that we get the right delicious recipes into shops and available to as many Plum mums and babies as soon as possible. This means harnessing all the enthusiasm and creativity around here and making sure it doesn't get too chaotic...
When I am not Plumming, I am helping my wife to look after our four boys - Oscar (11), Felix (9), Victor (5) and Raef (3). You would think they are past the Plum stage but are still keen on the sweet recipes! We like biking, fishing and getting out to the countryside.
PhilippeLogistics
My role is in logistics - how to get Plum Baby out to all who want it, when they want it! I love fast cars, walking, climbing and other adventurous pursuits - just call me "Action Man".......
RachelCustomer Services Manager
I'm Rachel and I am the youngest Plum of the family! My main role is to ensure that all our Little Plums and their parents are happy with our wonderful products. I'm also in charge of the website and the monthly newsletter, that you have all signed up for.....hopefully!!! I also assist both Alison and Vanessa to ensure that Sales and Marketing runs smoothly.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my friends, and love going to gigs/concerts to watch new and old bands. I'm also a classically trained singer, which most people don't know, and am currently having vocal lessons to gain the confidence to go on stage again......
SimonHead of Sales
Hi there, I'm Simon, the newest member of the Plum team, responsible for sales. My role here is to work with retailers to look to sell all of the fantastic & nutritious recipes that Susie comes up with. Unusually, it was actually my young son Aaron that first introduced me to Plum when he was just 4 months old. With Aaron having given me a huge thumbs up, I decided to join the team. Outside of work, I love virtually all outdoor pursuits particularly triathlons. I am currently training for my first long-course Ironman in July
StephenTechnical Controller
I'm the technical controller and I love all things scientific (a bit like beaker in the Muppets for you older Plums). I have the responsibility of working with our manufacturing sites to ensure that all the foods we make are not only really tasty, but are safe and comply with all the very strict legislation that controls baby foods.
Outside of work I am secretary of my local rugby club, and spend free time tending my veggies on my allotment, and enjoy spoiling a good walk playing golf.
SusieFounder
Main responsibilities involve finding and collecting the finest ingredients to put in to the business - the best people, the right recipes and the neatest ideas.
As well as providing the inspiration to keep everyone going when it all seems too hard and difficult!
Baby bears are Ben (14), Honor (12) and Minky (4).
VanessaMarketing Controller
I look after the marketing for Plum, which means making sure we have the best range of products for our mums and babies. But just as important is then finding the best ways to tell you all about them and getting you to sample our lovely recipes. When I'm not working I love to spend time relaxing with my two children, Amy (8) and Samuel (3) who are very good at looking out for Plum Baby when we are in the supermarket.
