This year, for International Women’s Day, we’re putting the spotlight on one of our Franchisees headed up by a female, W.H.Evans.
W.H.Evans is a family business based in Bryncir, between Porthmadog and Caernarfon. The business, as it exists today, is run by Manon Roberts and her brilliant team.
However, a career in agriculture hasn’t always been Manon’s chosen profession. Growing up Manon was sports mad; she played football and even got a cap for Wales playing in the U18 team. At school she was encouraged to go to university so went on to study Sports Science at Bangor University.
During this time, Manon’s grandfather, William Henry Evans, or as he was known by everyone who knew him ‘Wala felin’, was heading up W.H.Evans. However, in 2010 - the middle of her second year - her grandfather sadly passed away, and the family were discussing having to sell the family business as they were all busy with other commitments.
Aged just 19, Manon decided to take the leap and come home from university and step into running W.H.Evans herself. The original family business has a long history, having been established in 1836. Manon is the 6th generation of the family to run the feed side of the business at Melin Llecheiddior.
In 2014 she qualified as an SQP and in 2017 Lowri joined the business and Manon also married her busy farmer and sheep scanner husband Deion. Outside of work, Manon balances many roles, a busy mum with two children aged 3 and 7, she also is involved with two farming enterprises, including having stock of her own.
Impressively, the business has grown every year, and Manon now has three staff who call out on farm, delivering an excellent service across their trading area in North West Wales.
Manon said her advice to anyone starting out is guidance that was once given to her by her grandfather when she was considering football as a career: "It's better to have tried and failed, than to never try at all."
And this is the approach she has taken in her career and to building the business. Manon also says that it’s vital to have a great team around you, and it's clear from when Downland CEO Sophie spent time spent with the team earlier this year that they are a close knit and very passionate and strong supportive team.