About Us
Harris Tobias Ltd is a privately owned trading house which today covers a variety of markets across Europe.
1900 The business was started by Thomas S. Harris trading in oils and greases. At one stage he had 4 offices in London, Bristol, Manchester and Leeds.
1925 Dutch de Geer family bought the business They were also part owners of Feedingstuffs & Fertilisers (Ldn) Limited – a company started in 1948 by Reginald Fuller.
1930 Percy Tobias commenced trading in tallows and greases which he ran alongside his button manufacturer in the East End of London. His son Alan took over from him in the early 1950’s and closed the button business down to concentrate on tallow.
1963 Mr Fullers’s son-in-law John Kelson (Feedingstuffs & Fertilisers (Ldn) Limited ) joined the business from Reed Sacks. ‘Hollow Legs Kelson’ was famous in the trade and that end of The City for 25 years. Many a gentleman from the tallow trade on his way to Tallow Chandlers Livery Hall for The Weekly Market Letter Committee ‘suffered’ at his hands and made very little sense for the afternoon discussion on pricing.
1975 John Kelson and Alan Tobias decided to join forces and created Harris Tobias Ltd based in Spitalfields Market – a much less glamorous location in those days than it is now and when they started to think about retirement Harris Tobias moved to Stansted Mountfitchet village – where we are today.
Our Team
Rodney Pope – Chairman
Rodney joined the company in 1977 when Harris Tobias was based in the Fruit Exchange in the city of London. An economist by degree Rodney had a 3 month placement with P&G which introduced him to the world of fat!
Today Rodney is an active FOSFA Arbitrations and Appeals member which resolves contractual disputes in the oils & fats industry. He is also the former chair of the Feed Fat Association which oversees the activities of the feed fat industry throughout the UK.
Jacqueline Stott – Director & Trader
Jacqueline joined the company in 2002 as part of her university course and returned upon completion of degree in 2004. Jacqueline has covered all areas within the company, starting in administration and logistics, with some accounts and trading.
Today she covers all areas of trading whether it be oils & fats or products for recycling. She has had a key role in helping to develop the ‘food waste’ recycling part of the business and still has an active interest in finding solutions and alternative technologies for customers.
Phill Stybar – Accounts Manager
Phill has been with the company for the past 10 years, joining initially after previous employment in the hospitality industry.
After several years in the role of logistics and administration within the company, Phill has now moved into the role of accounts manager. He is currently studying for his AAT qualification.
Ann Howard – Logistics Manager
Ann has been with the company for over 25 years. Her role is predominantly within the logistics for the oils and fats side of the business. Ann manages the contract executions and she liaises daily with hauliers as well as both collection and delivery points to ensure all parties are aware of changes and informed accordingly.
Email: Ann.Howard@harristobias.com
Sue Pope – Director
Call her Susan and she won’t talk to you! Has been with the company since 1994. A wonderful cake maker her primary role is keeping Rodney in order!
Kerry Fleming – Administrator
Kerry has recently joined us after a career working in the publishing industry. She is now tasked with keeping our ‘paperless office’ on track!
Chardonnay – The Office Cat
The newest addition to the company, although we have not managed to teach her to pose for the camera as yet.
