As part of its ongoing expansion, Fairfields Farm has strengthened its leadership team with the addition of David Glennan as head of operations and technical, and David Nairn as chairman & company secretary. These appointments mark a significant step in the company’s continued growth journey and reflect its ambition to scale sustainably while driving innovation across operations and product development.
David Glennan, a seasoned expert in the snacking industry, brings a wealth of experience to his new role, having previously held senior positions at Yellow Chips, Corkers Crisps, Tyrrells and his own family’s vegetable crisp factory, Glennan’s, which was sold in 2011. As head of operations and technical, he will oversee the day-to-day running of Fairfields Farm’s on-site crisp factory, lead technical processes, and champion continuous improvement across the business. Glennan will also play a central role in the company’s innovation pipeline, supporting the development of new flavours and production efficiencies. The appointment also reunites David with his brother, Richard Glennan, who serves as Fairfields Farm’s Sales Director and with whom he has previously collaborated on multiple projects.
Meanwhile, Nairn, formerly a non-executive director at the business, has stepped into the active role of chairman & company secretary. With extensive leadership experience – including as chairman and managing director of Burts for 12 years – and a deep understanding of the brand, Nairn’s appointment further solidifies Fairfields Farm’s strategic direction as it continues to scale.
These leadership updates come off the back of a pivotal year for the Essex-based business. 2024 saw Fairfields Farm invest in a state-of-the-art on-site fryer, boosting crisp production capacity by 90% and supporting increasing demand across retail, trade and online channels. More upgrades are planned.
The appointments also coincide with the launch of two new crisp flavours in 2025—Chorizo & Red Wine, arriving in May, and a new limited-edition festive flavour to be unveiled later this year, further strengthening the brand’s product innovation strategy and responding to evolving consumer tastes.
Glennan, commenting on his new role, said: “Fairfields Farm has built something really special. Behind the strong brand is great people and a real appetite for innovation. My focus is on helping the business scale smartly, keeping quality at the heart of everything we do.”
Nairn added: “Since joining Fairfields Farm in 2023, there has been an impressive vision and momentum behind the brand and the business. Stepping into the role of Chairman gives me the opportunity to help steer that momentum in a meaningful way as we take the business to the next level.”
