Get To Know The Team - Peter

Hi, I'm Peter, the Marketing and Innovation Manager at Doherty Group.

I joined the company as a Marketing Executive just over two and a half years ago, but over time I found myself drawn towards innovation. I enjoy looking at how we work and identifying the small—sometimes not-so-small—changes that can make a real difference. Whether that's improving efficiency or helping teams gain better insights, I love finding ways to make things work better.

On a day-to-day basis I work across teams to deliver small improvements that can help them with their work, even if they don’t thank me for them initially! Sometimes that can be easier ways to collect or track data, sometimes it can be larger systems designed to future proof the business and help us grow. Things like product development and sustainability also play a part in my role, and these will be a big focus going forward. 

Being from a dairy farming background and having a degree in Agriculture, a big appeal was to work for a company that connected me to my roots but would allow me to grow into a role that worked for me. At university I had a keen interest in sustainable grassland management so being able to work for a company focused on sustainable animal bedding, particularly for dairy cows, was massively appealing. 

Looking back, if someone had told me ten years ago that I would become an Innovation Manager, I probably would have asked, "What's that?" The role here at the Doherty Group gave me the space to grow and learn that innovative thinking and making improvements was something I loved doing and I’ve now been given free rein to make that happen.

Alongside innovation projects, I continue to support our marketing activities. Since Jessica joined the team as Marketing Assistant, we've been working together on campaigns, promotional projects, and a variety of marketing initiatives across the business.

If I had to pick the three most important skills for my role, I'd say adaptability, problem-solving, and a good dose of patience are needed. It is very rare for things to work first time so not being too put off by setbacks helps!

My Career Journey

Before joining Doherty Group, I worked across both the agriculture and pet sectors in roles including Marketing Assistant, E-Commerce Executive, and Product Specialist. Those positions gave me experience across marketing, digital platforms, product development, and research.

Of course, my first experience of work came much earlier than that—growing up and working on a dairy farm. That background gave me a strong understanding of the products, customers, and industry that I work with today.

My very first professional role was as a Marketing Assistant at Germinal, where I started building the skills that eventually led me to where I am now.

What I Enjoy Most About Working Here

It might sound like a cliché, but the people really are what I enjoy most about working at Doherty Group.

We have a great team, and we're good at bringing out the best in each other. Although we're a relatively small business, there's a huge amount of ambition around what we want to achieve. That combination creates an environment where you feel like your work genuinely matters and where you can make a real difference.

The Most Rewarding Part of My Job

The most rewarding moments are usually the ones that come after a lot of frustration.

When you've spent weeks working on a project, encountered every possible issue along the way, and finally get everything working exactly as it should, there's a real sense of achievement. Those moments make all the setbacks worthwhile.

Advice for Anyone Starting Their Career

I was fortunate enough to find a company that gave me the freedom to grow into a role that suited my strengths and interests.

My advice would be to spend time figuring out what you genuinely enjoy doing. Pay attention to the tasks that give you a sense of satisfaction or the moments in your day that you look forward to. Once you've identified those things, try to build a career around them.

You'll always work harder and perform better when you're doing something you enjoy.

Quick Fire Questions

Tea or coffee?
Tea.

Early bird or night owl?
Definitely an early bird.

Favourite app?
Spotify.

One thing I can't get through the workday without?
A checklist.

Who eats the office snacks the fastest?
I think it's a close contest between Owen and David, although Jessica might be a dark horse. Time will tell.

Who would survive longest on a desert island?
I'd put my money on David. His hiking and camping experience would come in handy.

Who wouldn't survive?
Owen. Having nothing to do would drive him completely mad.

If I were one of our products, which would I be?
Sublime. It's familiar with dairy cows, solves a problem, and likes to do things differently.

Which colleague would make the best contestant on The Traitors?
Catherine. No hesitation.

Which colleague would survive a zombie apocalypse?
Rolandas.

If I was stranded on a desert island with one colleague, who would I choose?
Donna. I think we'd get along well enough that neither of us would be plotting the other's downfall after a few days.

Looking Ahead

One of the things I enjoy most about my role is that there's always another challenge to tackle and another opportunity to improve something. Whether it's innovation, sustainability, product development, or marketing, I'm excited to continue helping Doherty Group grow and evolve in the years ahead.