Our Team

A close-knit, dedicated team is the secret of Paramount's success. May we introduce you to a few of the key people:

Ali Hannaford – Managing Director

I founded Paramount in 1988 and am passionate about my family life and my business. I’m married to Reg and we have two sons, Josh and Jake. I love Skiing, walking, painting, cricket and rugby, motorbike riding, food, cooking and travelling. My role as Managing Director is a joy as I have such a fabulous team around me. They are all as passionate as me about the business, which means I can take lots of time off to enjoy the things that I love! Let’s face it none of us are getting any younger!

Jon Phillips – Finance Director

As Finance Director my role is centered on keeping the scores, saying ‘no’ and managing the finances to aid growth. I enjoy working at Paramount as everyone shares the same goals and philosophy on customer service and delivering quality. Outside of work, life is all about relaxing and enjoying family life with my wonderful wife and two children. 

Steve Lamont – Production Director

I joined in 2000 having previously worked for Fisher Foods, a chilled Seafood supplier to M&S. My strength is in people management and a “yes we can” attitude. Away from work I’m husband to Cheryl, a Dad to Sara & Amy, and a Grandad to Lola, all of them enrich my life (or so they tell me)! Spare time that’s easy, walking the coastal paths with Cheryl and our Labrador, Murphy. After which we always seem to find ourselves enjoying traditional pub grub washed down with a couple of cheeky half’s of Devon’s finest real ale.

Sue Cullum - Sales & Marketing Director

I joined in 99, my previous role was a Buyer at Kingfrost (Young's). I really enjoy my role as S& M Director which is challenging yet enjoyable, made so by the eclectic mix of team members who like me, work hard but try to have fun in the process. When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my friends. There’s nothing like a shopping spree with my ‘Fruityboys’ or girly nights out. I have been known to partake in extreme sports, abseiling down Grimsby Tower for charity & bungee jumping off Victoria Falls over the Zambezi!

Josh Hannaford - Buyer

I have been working for Paramount since 2009 running the Purchasing Department, and I am Ali’s eldest son. I really enjoy my job as I get to learn about every ingredient that goes into our fantastic products- and there are plenty to keep track of!  I recently moved to a house that I have spent the last two years renovating with my Dad. In my spare time I enjoy playing music, cooking, reading and lots of sport;  I’m in the gym and pool every morning before work as it wakes me up for the day, and play Football three nights a week in case I ever get that International call up!

Brennan Green – Advisor to the Board

I’m a graduate in Food Technology and my career has included working with Heinz, Marks & Spencer, Rahbek Foods and BJG Associates ( a consultancy advising the industry on food safety, processing & design). I’m married to Linda and have three sons, Simon, David & Jack. I used to play hockey but now my hobbies are golf, fishing and drinking wine.

 Graham Thomson - National Account Business Development Manager

I’m responsible for looking after the National Account Pub & Restaurant Chains, I work closely with the Chefs in the NPD kitchen & they are an integral part of driving my accounts forward. I’ve been at Paramount for 2 years now but I’ve always had connections with Paramount during my career whilst at M&J Seafood & British Seafood. I have a daughter  Hannah, who is 15 going on 30 ! While I’m busy keeping Hannah up to date, with all the latest food trends, Hannah keeps me on the right track with the latest fashion tips & how I should be looking for a man in his early 40’s!

Debs Casey-Smith - National Account Manager

I moved to Devon in 2008 and was lucky enough to have been accepted into the Paramount fold. My role as an Account Manager takes me all over the UK working with Wholesalers, Area Reps and end users. Although the time away from home can be wearing, I love the customer interaction and the chance to present some of the best seafood products available to the Foodservice market. When I'm not lost on the motorway networks of the UK, I like relaxing with a good wine or exploring the coastline with my partner Case and our cheeky Cockerpoo, Alfie.

Holly J Smith - National Account Manager

My role is incredibly exciting, fast moving and challenging – which I love! Working with all the departments across our business showcases the strength and dedication we have as a team at Paramount. My busy life continues into my home life, from spending time with my lovely family and friends to playing and umpiring hockey, from enjoying fine wine and good food to helping out on my family farm! I live by my primary school motto “to try is to triumph”.

Emma Willis - Technical Manager

I graduated with a BSc (hons) in Environmental Science and then started in the food industry 1998 in a dessert factory. I then moved onto the sandwich industry for 4 years, mostly auditing suppliers and doing some serious air miles before starting with Paramount in 2005. Now it’s the fun-filled world of seafood! I am married to Dean, we share our home with three cats. We have a busy social life, and we both enjoy cooking (and the wine that goes with it!).  

Jessica Waller – Marketing Manager

I joined in 2010 and consider my role to be exciting and varied. I can be researching food trends and emerging markets one day and overseeing a new product launch the next. I'm a real foodie so I don’t mind being a blind tester for the chefs delicious creations especially if I’ve forgotten my lunch! I've been married to my husband Steve for 14 years and have a toddler called Archie and a young Boxer dog. I love to socialise with friends along with running & yoga in the evenings.

Julie Yeo - Sales Administration Manager

I joined in 99 so am practically part of the furniture! My daily routine involves anything from customer orders, form filing, stock balancing right up to liaising with the factory regarding trials and stock production. I'm married to Martin and we have a son called Connor. My weekends feel like they are spent doing laundry, laundry and more laundry – but I usually manage to slot in a bit of shopping at some point!! Then up early on Sunday to watching Connor play rugby in the rain! I so didn’t think that one through when he was younger!

Alan Phillips – Production Engineering Manager

I joined in 14 years ago in 1998 as the Engineering Manager. I have seen 4 factory re-builds and expansions, so I’m always kept busy. My main role is to keep production running smoothly, maintain the factory machinery and stay abreast of any innovations and developments that can help drive the business forwards. I’m a 56 year old Devonian, born and breed and I’ve been happily married to my lovely wife Lesley for 34 years. I have 2 daughters & 3 grandchildren

Dean Willis – Operations & Process Manager

My role is interesting and varied, the operations side is about analysing the efficiencies and yields, but the process half keeps my feet firmly on the ground. I don’t like the early mornings but I do enjoy the challenge of improving efficiency on a day to day basis. I enjoy a good social life utilizing the long weekend and have recently been recruited into our local pub panto. I also like to grow strange and interesting plants, chilli’s being my favourite. At the moment my hottest are 35,000 on the Scoville scale!

Harry Blackborough – Production Manager

I joined in 2000, and was employed to run the sauce making unit at the Brixham unit. I was soon promoted to overseeing the manufacturing production lines and now I manage a team of 33 people on 4 lines. My previous military background does help keep a tidy ship and the factory running like a well oiled machine! I’ve been married to Ann for 35 years and have 2 boys, Dean who is getting married to an Irish lass called Aideen, and Craig married to Trish who has 3 children: Jessie, Tyler and Bryony.

Kieran Ottaway – Development Chef

I joined the company in 2011, following employment at the Britannia Naval College in Devon. I have gained work experience in Rick Steins Seafood restaurant as well as winning Sodexo’s National Young Chef Competition. My role involves creating new recipes and developing products right through to production.  My job keeps me on my toes as I’m frequently presenting new concepts to buyers across the country, it’s varied and interesting role and each day can be very different from the next. I spend most my spare time in the gym or at the beach.

Mauro Sardu – Development Chef

I come from Sardinia, food for me is a way of life, I believe in the saying ....live to eat, not eat to live!
I have been working in product development for nearly 20 years, although I have been at Paramount for 14 years. I like this job as every day is diverse and rewarding, also it’s great to be able to develop new recipes as well as re-invent archived recipes and ingredients.