International Men's Day

International Men's Day provides a key moment to celebrate men's achievements in the workplace and showcase employer initiatives and support. 

Our male colleagues at BAKO are all truly inspiring. Some of them have taken the time to share a little bit about themselves and their roles within the Bakery Industry: 

Kirti Hirani - CFO (Group) 

I joined BAKO in May 2017 as a Financial Controller and was promoted to CFO six months later. I have learned many things in my 6 years at BAKO from colleagues all over the business and this knowledge has allowed me to add value to BAKO and its stakeholders. I am a Board Director, Company Secretary and a member of the Executive Management Team, all of whom collectively decide the strategic direction of the business. The marketplace is constantly changing and we are tasked with ensuring BAKO is at the forefront of the market for bakery ingredients supplies.ln my time at BAKO, we have faced many challenges, and almost always come out on top, all of which is only made possible by the support of all colleagues in the organisation. I am predominantly responsible for all things finance and IT related but my role gives me responsibility to support all other areas in the organisation. My teams are responsible for preparing all financial reporting for the Group, ensuring customers pay us so we can pay our suppliers and colleagues and looking after all IT systems. In my role as Company Secretary I am responsible for advising the Board on constitutional, governance and Company Law matters.

"I have a great team of people and we are all part of a great company with a unique ownership concept and a long history" 

Dan Oxley - Assistant Warehouse Manager (Preston)

Dan joined BAKO in 2006 originally as a Warehouse Picker - having worked at BAKO for over 17 years, he has developed lots of skills, progressing from Chargehand to Shift Supervisor to his current role of Assistant Warehouse Manager (and the H&S representative for the site)

"Being an Assistant Warehouse Manager comes with many daily challenges which is great as everyday is different. BAKO is a great company to work and everyone is like one big family" 

Gary Mahon - Regional Sales Manager (Preston) 

Since I started with BAKO in February 2013 as Sales Executive for the North Wales area, I have worked my way up through Senior Sales Executive, Cluster Manager to my current role of Regional Sales Manager. I spend my time out with the team across the North West, Midlands and Wales, visiting customers and seeking out new businesses to provide our products to. I love seeing the incredible range of products that our customers create with simple ingredients and the best thing about it is that we have such a diverse range of unique customers - no 2 days are the same! 

"Some achievements that I am very proud of are expanding into new territories and customer sectors and delivering record sales results last year." 

Darren Day - Transport Manager (Wimbledon) 

I started here as a Driver in 2001 and took over the mantle of Transport Manager/Operations. My main goal is to ensure all orders are delivered on the day requested. I Like to think that I can get the best and loyalty out of people by making them feel important. I would also like to think that by making people laugh they feel more relaxed during their day. I speak 8 languages Fluently (ENGLISH, SCOTTISH, AMERICAN, CANADIAN, AUSTRALIAN, IRISH, COCKNEY & NORTHERN) 

"I enjoy working at Bako and the day-to-day challenges we face". 

Ian Moss - Assistant Transport Manager (Preston) 

Ian joined BAKO in 1993 and has worked in a number of roles including Driver's Mate, Clerical Assistant, Customer Services, HGV Driver.

Being a young father (still in school), I needed to earn, so I literally rode around on my bike knocking on doors asking for jobs. I got told to come back to BAKO for an interview and on Wednesday 28th April 1993 I started working as a Drivers' Mate. I was allowed time off to go back to school to sit my exams! When I turned 21, I passed my HGV and spent 16-years driving and in that time many of the customers I served became friends. I achieved an International CPC Transport Managers qualification, which enabled me to apply for the Transport Supervisor role, which I started in February 2016 and have more recently been promoted to Assistant Transport Manager. 

If there is one thing that I have carried through my 30+ years and all my different roles within BAKO, it is what I got told to remember in my interview which is, 'The customer is always right!' If we serve the customer correctly, they will keep coming back for more. 

Peter Matthews - Area Sales Manager (Durham) 

Peter joined BAKO in 2006 as an Area Sales Manager covering the northeast to the borders. 

"I love working for BAKO because every day has a different challenge. I have some great customers and colleagues - we help and support each other. I love helping customers with their everyday enquiries and show them the new trends and new products to offer. (Happy Customer Happy Peter)" 

Colin MacKay - Sales Support (Durham) 

Colin joined BAKO in 2 016 as an Area Sales Manager.

I have to say that my time with BAKO has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience (mostly!) and I remember saying in my interview that I was looking for my last job and I hope that will still be the case. I have also found that everyone I have dealt with have one common goal-to exceed customer expectations and do the best they can for the customer. I have recently moved to the Outer Hebrides and now act as sales support for the Durham team and have a plethora of duties and responsibilities; from sales support, pricing, data analysis, monthly/weekly updates, tenders, customer communications being some of the duties.