Robert Graham
Managing Director, Graham’s Dairies
Robert Graham, grandson of the dairy’s founder, was born in Bridge of Allan in 1970.
He joined the family firm in 1991, having completed a degree in accountancy and finance at Edinburgh’s Heriot Watt University, before succeeding his father Robert Graham Snr (now chairman) as managing director in 1996.
Under Robert’s stewardship, the company, with a 300-strong payroll has dramatically increased its commercial reach and in 2009 increased its turnover by 20% to £40m (2008: £33.4m).
In June 2009, he was named a regional winner at the Ernst and Young Scotland Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 Awards in Gleneagles.
The acquisition of the First Milk subsidiary Scottish Milk Dairies in 2005 provided a major boost to production and represented the 24th acquisition in over a decade.
In 2006 the company acquired a new depot at Port Dundas in Glasgow, with its Bridge of Allan headquarters has also benefiting from a £1m capital investment programme.
The business has also diversified successfully. Traditional areas of commercial activity such as hotels, restaurants, nursing homes, independent retailers, schools, universities and the catering trade have been augmented by a growing and significant presence in the supermarket sector.
In 2006, Graham’s, which celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2009, underwent a major core value review which led to a significant re-branding, focussing on the key business values of family, farming roots, and Scottish heritage. The contemporary 'new look' was applied to the dairy’s entire product range packaging, vehicle livery, and website.
Robert has also ensured that the company’s product range has continued to grow. In addition to milk, the family produces its own Scottish Dairy, Organic and Graham’s Gold range of butter, cream and delicious vanilla ice-cream.
Robert’s firm commitment to product innovation has also produced many prestigious awards for Graham’s The Family Dairy. This includes its luxuriously creamy Graham’s Gold range being named Marketing Initiative of the Year and Best Dairy, Confectionery and Snacking Product at the 2009 Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards.
2009 also marked another proud milestone for the family when its award-winning Graham’s Gold milk became the first branded product to be distributed through Sainsbury’s in London and the south-east of England.