Our Team

Directors

Hugh Lipscombe, chairman

Hugh is founder of the Chesterford Group having started the business in 1971 with one store. He is the most successful retailer in the industry creating a multi million pound business through grit, determination and a passion for developing people into leaders. He is passionate about creating a learning environment that first and foremost puts its people first.

James Lipscombe, CEO

James started at the Chesterford Group in 2000, becoming Managing Director in 2011. James has a wealth of M&A experience and has led the companies rapid growth since 2011 and in 2016 became the majority shareholder of the business after a series of management buyouts. He is a member of the Young Presidents Organization, a business network for CEO’s & Entrepreneurs under the age of 49.

Paul Goodgame, MD

Paul is an Operations Professional with broad experience in Food Retail Management. He became Operations Director in 2011, leading the digitalization of the business through delivery, click and collect and its Virtual Kitchen operations, before being promoted to Managing Director in 2020. Paul's main interest is going running couple of times a week, as well as being a Tottenham FC fanatic!

Andy INSCH,
FINANCE DIRECTOR

Andy became a member of CIMA in 2006 and has industry experience in Retail, Real Estate & Hospitality where he worked as a Finance Director in the casual dining sector. He has a passion for leading and developing finance teams previously specialising in Commercial Finance & Financial Planning. Outside of work, Andy enjoys running, going to the gym & snowboarding holidays in the winter.

Tomasz, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS AT JOY BRANDS

Tomasz started his career in Hospitality in 2004 and joined Joy Brands in May 2022. He understands the complexity of the industry and is passionate about providing exceptional customer service as well as being very skilled in identifying and developing new business ideas. Outside of work Tomasz is a qualified UEFA Coach, working with young people.

Management Team

Wayne Shaw,
Fish & Chip Head of Operations

Wayne is an expert in multiunit leadership; specialising in people development, hospitality excellence and health and safety. Having worked for TCG for 26 years, Wayne has seen the company soar from strength to strength. He has recently been added to our internal "Green Team" and is excited to be involved in the journey to becoming carbon zero. In his spare time, you will often find Wayne in the gym strength training and completing the 1000lb challenge. Wayne also has a passion for travelling and exploring different cultures.

Steve Wallman, Finance Controller

Steve has an extensive career in finance working across a number of sectors and been focussed on Hospitality and retail in the last 18 years with businesses like Greggs and St JOHN. He is a member of CIMA, the IoD and holds a masters degree in Information Management and Finance. He joined The Chesterford Group in April 2022. Both inside and out of work Steve enjoys a deep interest in gadgets and technology.

Lucy Martins,
Head of HR

With a Master's Degree in Human Resources, Lucy has been in the field for almost 20 years working for a few large Food Retail and Manufacturing Companies, latterly as a People Manager at Greggs PLC. She joined TCG in March 2022 and is working on building on the fantastic Company culture by making people feel valued and TCG a great place to work. Lucy likes the idea of exercise, but the reality doesn't. Her mantra is "EAT, PRAY, LOVE"...

Liz Binding,
HEAD OF FACILITIES
& ProjectS

Liz is a passionate Project Manager with vast Operational experience, having worked in various roles in our stores from Team Member to Management, before joining the TCG Operations team. Liz now manages a team of 8, leading the group's customer experiences, operational support, sustainability, project management & warehouse. Liz's main interests are watching the latest films at the cinema and enjoying holidays!

Louise Kite,
Food, Health & Safety Manager

Louise is a qualified Environmental Health Officer, specialising in food hygiene and workplace safety. After 10 years working in local government enforcement, she moved to the private sector and advised an international catering company for nearly as long. Louise is passionate about all aspects of food and loves to bake! Her first job was in a fish and chip shop in Billericay, which was bought by Fish n Chick’n while she was there. Nearly twenty years later she returned to the Head Office in an advisory capacity.