About Us

About Kemsley & Co

From the pre-war years to present day, Kemsley & Co has grown into a large company specialising in UK produce across all fruit, salad and vegetable lines

J.T Kemsley (London) Ltd began in the pre-war years as a small firm selling mainly beetroot and has since grown into a much larger company specialising in UK produce across all fruit, salad and vegetable lines.


My father, Harry Scrivener, joined J.T Kemsley as a salesman in the 1970’s, soon after my brother Steve took the role of cashier. It wasn’t long before Steve stepped up-to the role of Salesman and he was promoted to Stand Manager in 1984. After working elsewhere in the fresh produce industry, I too joined Kemsley as a Salesman – our family business had started to form. 


We started out mainly selling UK fruit, then expanded in vegetables and widened our selection of fruit and salads. In 1991, the market relocated to new Spitalfields, not long after my brother Steve bought the business and J.T Kemsley (Spitalfields) was established and traded very successfully under him for 28 years.


In April 2019, I took over the business having worked for all 3 generations of Kemsley, and Kemsley & Co (London) Ltd was born. I brought on board Peter and Ben Thomas (father and son) who were looking for the opportunity to buy into the wholesale side of the fresh food produce industry. 


Together we began to increase the range of vegetable and salad lines on offer to cater for the ever-changing demands of our customers. We focused primarily on locally sourced produce which we feel has helped us to successfully expand the business to where we are today.


We have come a long way and we are proud of where we are and how we got here.


Our current sales team has over 130 years of collective industry experience, I personally have more than 38 years of experience working within the market industry.


We hope you enjoy our product range!


Chris Scrivener,

MD, Kemsley & Co.

Strawberries

Chris couldn't live without...

Strawberries


Chris Scrivener

Managing Director/Sales Manager

"I enjoy the feeling of working in an industry where everyone feels like family."


Chris has more than 37 years of experience working within the market industry. He joined Kemsley and Co in April 2019 and is responsible for implementing company policy and the changes to it, and ensuring the company strategy is geared towards growth, profits and increasing shareholder return. Chris manages communication between shareholders, represents the company at public events and organised meetings and liaises with customers and suppliers with the buying and selling of the freshest produce. In his spare time, Chris enjoys country walks with his dogs and a well-deserved pint in the local pub, running, visiting the gym and cycling.

Ben couldn't live without...

Bananas


Ben Thomas

Director/Salesman

"No two days are the same at Kemsley, I'm constantly meeting people from all walks of life. There's great banter - its a relaxed atmosphere."


Ben grew up in the market watching his father Pete Thomas expand his business. He joined Kemsley and Co in 2019 to work within the sales department, driving sales forward, visiting prospect and existing customers and negotiating deals with customers and suppliers. In his spare time, Ben enjoys country walks with his dogs, visiting the gym, relaxing at home, socialising with family and friends and weekend trips in the UK and abroad.

Peter couldn't live without...

Beetroot


Peter Thomas

Director

"The team work really well together and it is such a pleasure to work with really great people."


Peter joined Kemsley in 2019 and brings with him more than 50 years of experience in the market industry. His role involves driving sales forward, visiting prospect and existing customers and negotiating deals with customers. Peter looks upon his colleagues at Kemsley as an extension of his own family. In his spare time, Peter enjoys a nice pint of beer and spending time with his family.

Chris couldn't live without...

Green Beans


Chris Hutchinson

Senior Salesman

"Kemsley has become an extension of my own family, we have such good banter with our staff, customers and suppliers. The market was and is my life."


Chris Hutchinson's experience of market life began at an early age whilst working for his dad. Eventually Chris took over his father's business, Arthur Hutchinson, before joining Kemsley and Co in April 2019 as Head Salesman. Chris' role involves driving sales forward, visiting prospect and existing customers and negotiating deals with customers and suppliers. Chris sees Kemsley as an extension of his own family and enjoys the banter he has with staff, customers and suppliers. When not at work, Chris is happiest spending quality time with his family.

Sheri couldn't live without...

Kiwi Fruit


Sheri Devren

Purchase Ledger/Executive Assistant to MD

"Kemsley is professional and organised - but it is a relaxed organisation. There's a terrific atmosphere, I have great work colleagues."


Sheri Devren has more than 25 years' experience in management roles within various industries. She joined Kemsley and Co in June 2020 to manage and delegate business issues within the organisation. Part of her role involves research, analysis and provision of management guidelines on relevant business issues and she is also responsible for ensuring written and verbal communications are designed to deliver results. Sheri loves the professional but relaxed atmosphere at Kemsley, and in her spare time she enjoys swimming, Pilates and socialising regularly with friends.

Sharon couldn't live without...

Blueberries


Sharon Garrett 

Sales Ledger Officer

"I love the regular interaction with customers, market owners and staff whom I've known for many years."


Sharon has more than 30 years' experience working within various roles in the market. She joined Kemsley and Co in 2019 as a Sales Ledger and enjoys a diverse role which includes managing customer ledgers and monies received, filing remittances advices, bank sheets and credit card receipts and handling any queries relating to remittances. She loves the interaction with people that her role at Kemsley brings. In her spare time, Sharon enjoys relaxing with a nice glass of wine, walking her dog and spending time with her family. 

Please get in touch to discuss your fresh produce needs

"J T Kemsley & Co have been suppling us for over 60 years now.  A working bond was formed between Donald and Harry Scrivener and has continued over the years to the present day.

Outstanding produce with a second to none service - I would 100% recommend them."


Nick Freeston, Donald Freeston Fresh Produce / Freestons Direct


Share by: