Nick Padley has been appointed as a Director of New Covent Garden Market wholesaler P&I Fruit, joining Paul Emmett and Paul Bishop on the Board of the group that includes P&I and Side Salads.

Nick began his career in the Market as a porter 23 years ago, aged 19, becoming one of the fourth generation of his family to work at NCGM. He took a role as junior salesman at Side Salads in 2011, when P&I Fruits purchased the firm, and has run Side Salads since 2018.

Now he steps up to oversee the entire firm in the Market. “I always had a long-term view that I wanted to be involved in overseeing the business,” Nick said. “I’ve learnt the trade from the bottom up and gone through the whole card of roles, dealt with every supplier and customer, the hiring and firing, and so now I’m looking forward to getting more involved at the top end of the business.

“Side Salads and P&I have always had a blueprint on how we deal with things. We like to look after our staff; we want them to be happy and have a smile on their face because without them we don’t have a business,” Nick added. “What our business has always been about, and always will be, is looking after our suppliers. You’re only as good as the growers you’re working with and their willingness to listen to you with an open mind and work with you. As long as everyone understands that we all have to make a living, there’s enough in there for everyone if we work together.”

In a joint statement, Paul Bishop and Paul Emmett said: “We are very pleased and proud to appoint Nick as a Director. He has worked his way through the ranks showing tremendous commitment, dedication and hard work and it’s been a pleasure to work with him along that journey.

“While we are both still very much involved in the management and strategic direction of the business, we are not physically in the Market as much as we used to be and Nick will run the company at New Covent Garden on a day-to-day basis, as the face of P&I on the ground.

“Nick is extremely well liked and respected across the Market and he’s the future of the firm. We wish him all the very best in his new position and look forward to working alongside him to take P&I to new levels in the years to come.”