A new boss is in place at the loss-making Meat Plant and he means business.

Manager Phil Parsons has been involved in the food industry all his working life.

The Meat Plant in Tromode, employs 51 staff and, for a start, Mr Parsons predicts there will be the opportunity to take on more staff as the market for Isle of Man Meats products grows.

Management of the Ballafletcher Road plant officially changed hands from the Fatstock Market Association to a government-run company called the Isle of Man Meat Company earlier this year.

The operator will be pinning its hopes on Mr Parsons being able to turn things around.

Mr Parsons is keen to increase investment in training and create more apprenticeships in order to recruit employees in roles which could include drivers, packers, cleaning and maintenance staff, plus IT and engineering.

He said: ‘The Meat Plant here is an excellent, modern, well-maintained facility with all of the latest equipment.

‘The high-standard of the plant, combined with the opportunities that exist to significantly increase the market for Isle of Man meat, are really exciting.’

Isle of Man Meats is the supplier of locally produced beef, lamb and pork sold both on and off-island.

Phil Parsons’ working life began when he left full-time education and worked in the grocery business in Shropshire which was owned and run by his family.

From there he spent the next 20 years with seafood and smoked salmon producers, including Marine Harvest, Strathaird Smoked Salmon, Lossie Seafoods, and Edinburgh Smoked.

Over the past decade he has worked in managerial roles in multi-species abattoirs at Dunbia of Elgin, Ensors (now Foyle Food Group) in Gloucester, and most recently at Wootton Organics in Staffordshire where he was production/operations manager for four years.

Tim Baker, chairman of Isle of Man Meat Company Ltd, said: ‘I am delighted that we have been able to attract an experienced plant manager of Phil’s calibre.

‘He is a key addition to the senior management team and will bring a professional, modern approach to the operation of the business.

‘Phil has already demonstrated his commitment in relocating his family to the island. I am confident will play a significant role in the future of Isle of Man Meats.’