Case Study
Supporting a third-generation family business to appoint a new Operations Director
About Bacton Logistics
Bacton Logistics is one of East Anglia’s longest-established independent logistics providers. Founded by Thomas Gooderham in 1932 with a single lorry carrying milk churns to the Stowmarket creamery, it is today a third-generation, family-owned business led by the Downie family. Operating from its headquarters in Bury St Edmunds and a second site in Great Blakenham, Bacton employs around 130 people, handles some 600 consignments a day and turns over c.£20m. In 2024 it rebranded from Bacton Transport to Bacton Logistics, reflecting its repositioning as a full supply-chain operator across distribution, warehousing and storage, and freight and customs.
The Brief
As Bacton broadened its services, the business needed a senior operations leader to shape how it runs day to day. Pure Executive was appointed to recruit an Operations Director, reporting to Managing Director Andy Stevenson, with full responsibility for safe, efficient and profitable performance across transport, warehousing and forwarding on both sites. The role was as much about people as process: building an accountable, high-performing management team, coaching managers towards a “leader-leader” approach, and embedding a culture of ownership and continuous improvement, all while delivering against budget, service, safety and EBITDA targets.
Our Approach
To reach the widest pool of talent, we ran a combined advertised and search campaign. We created a branded microsite to present the opportunity, giving candidates a clear picture of Bacton’s heritage, culture, leadership team and ambitions, alongside a branded LinkedIn tile promoted across our networks. In parallel, we conducted a targeted search, approaching proven senior operations leaders from transport, logistics and distribution backgrounds with P&L responsibility, a Manager CPC and a track record of driving cultural change. The criteria extended beyond technical capability. Our focus was on finding someone with the right blend of hands-on operational experience and leadership presence, who would thrive within the dynamics of a family business, embody “The Bacton Way” and provide strong support to Andy.
Scott, Rob and the team at Pure Executive took the time to properly understand both our business and what we needed from this key appointment. They ran a thorough, well-managed process, gave us a strong shortlist and supported us throughout, ultimately helping us recruit Jamie Farrow as our Operations Director. I have no hesitation in recommending Pure Executive.
In September 2026, Jamie Farrow was appointed Operations Director of Bacton Logistics. Jamie brings a wealth of experience, having started his career behind the wheel of an HGV before working his way up to the boardroom. He now leads operational performance across Bacton’s transport, warehousing, pallet-network and wider logistics services, working closely with the owners, leadership team, colleagues and customers. His focus is on delivering safe, compliant and consistently high-quality operations while developing people, improving efficiency and supporting sustainable, profitable growth. With Jamie in post, the business is well placed to continue its success story, and we are proud to have partnered with Bacton Logistics on this appointment.
Rob managed the recruitment process for my appointment as Operations Director at Bacton Logistics in a professional and engaging manner. Communication was clear and consistent throughout, with a good understanding of the business, the role and the expectations on both sides. The process was well managed from the initial discussions through to appointment.