Peter Pickthall

Peter was formerly the Group HR Director for R&R Ice Cream (renamed Froneri), the second largest worldwide ice cream manufacturer, where in addition to HR duties he was also responsible for staff training and development across all countries.

Peter was also a Justice of the Peace (Magistrate) in Cumbria for 23 years, in both the adult and youth courts where he was both a presiding magistrate and was Youth Panel chairman for 12 years until his retirement from the bench in December 2017. As a father of two, he has always had a real interest in education and school performance, resulting in him serving as a school governor for over 20 years, which included a spell as chair of Governors, in both the primary and secondary sectors.

Following a spell in the Army after leaving school, Peter qualified in agriculture and farm management before working in the chemical industry, becoming head of training and development for the UK business, before moving into HR. Whilst working he completed a second degree in psychology and in his work capacity, was a Chartered Manager. He later became Managing Partner in his own HR and Training Consultancy, prior to joining R&R Ice Cream as HR Director.

Currently enjoying retirement, he keeps busy as a Churchwarden, a position he has been in for 22 years. When time allows he likes to escape to go off-shore sailing; he completed an Atlantic circuit (to the Caribbean and back) in 2013 and a half Atlantic sail to the Azores and back in 2017. In addition he enjoys competitive sailing, annually taking part in the Round the Isle of Wight yacht race in a classic cruiser. He is currently planning his next long distance sailing trip to Cape Verde.