The team

As Founder and Managing Director of Eden Search & Select, David has spent his career working with a diverse range of businesses in the food and farming sectors – supporting their strategy and helping them recruit and retain Directors and Senior Managers. During this time, he has developed a deep understanding of the industry and the skills and attributes required by businesses to deliver high performing board and executive teams. This experience and track record has made him a credible sounding board on succession planning for both his clients and industry peers. Results-driven, David’s personal values of industry insight and integrity have delivered numerous successful projects and established Eden Search & Select as the executive search partner of choice for leading companies in the fresh food, food and drink, food manufacturing and farming sectors. David’s industry experience is deep rooted, having grown up on the family farm in Essex, which he remains actively involved in.

Having joined Eden in 2014, David was the architect of establishing Eden’s Agricultural division, leading the team to make it the executive search businesses of choice operating internationally in the sector. During this time, David has cemented many strong strategic client relationships and assisted his clients in recruiting and developing their successful senior executive teams. In addition, David plays a vital role in the overall development of the business, supporting Eden as we scale up our business in the UK and Internationally.

Prior to joining Eden, David enjoyed a successful 35-year career as a board level executive in several agricultural businesses including Dalgety and Openfield. David’s raw enthusiasm, passion for people development and years’ of experience in agriculture are crucial to assisting the Board and wider Eden team.

David is also a Reporter for the Bank of England and a member of the University of East Anglia of Biological Sciences, Employability Advisory Panel. In his spare time David is a keen painter, Fly Fisherman, Rugby fan and traveller.

David is also a Reporter for the Bank of England and a member of the University of East Anglia of Biological Sciences, Employability Advisory Panel. In his spare time David is a keen Fly Fisherman, Rugby fan and traveller.

After eleven years working as a fresh food recruitment specialist for MorePeople, Morten joined Eden in July 2023 as Director, Fresh Food. Morten started his career at the largest cut flower business in the UK before moving into a commercial role with a major fresh produce supplier. Realising he wanted to do more than just focus his work on one or two retailers, he embarked on a career in recruitment – a move that enabled him to work with and help as many people as possible.

During his time in recruitment, Morten has assisted people at all levels, helping them take the next step in their career. More recently he has focused his efforts on Senior and Executive appointments –making Eden the natural next step for his career progression.

Outside of work, Morten is a family man and his free time is most often spent with his wife and 2 children.

Dani specialises in recruiting senior executive, leadership, board and advisory positions. She has over 20 years’ executive search experience having worked for global search firms and smaller specialised boutiques. For the past ten years, this focus has been on sustainability and purpose led businesses and roles, and her interest is in organisations delivering impact. Her expertise focuses on creating real change by embedding impactful, purpose-driven people in to organisations. Dani has recruited CEOs, Chairs, NEDs, Directors and Senior Management.

Dani has worked with a breadth of clients spanning private, public and non-profit. She has operated across many sectors including food, drink, manufacturing and agriculture. Alongside executive search, Dani has also supported clients with organisational design, market intelligence, benchmarking and advisory work.

Dani joined Eden Search and Select as an Associate Director, Agritech in April 2024.

As Operations Manager, Dominique leads the Operations team in providing essential operational support across the executive search process. Having previously worked as an executive assistant for over a decade, Dom has an impressive track record of administrative, financial and organisational skills that are used day in and day out at Eden. Dom’s experience also spans in the bar and catering industry, where she has managed numerous venues within the UK for over 7 years.

With over eight years of experience in HR and recruitment across multiple industries, Sam brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Operations team. Having specialised in employment law and administrative problem-solving Sam has a strong track record in understanding and addressing unique client needs, resulting in delivering exceptional customer service solutions. At Eden, Sam will work closely with Dominique, providing essential support across the executive search process.

Anette is an international researcher with experience within the Food & Drink, Consumer and Retail industry covering Operations, Commercial and Digital functions from senior management to executive level. After a start in retail, Anette has worked in recruitment since 2013 and developed her passion for research and a methodical approach. With a Masters in Cross Cultural Communication & International Management and being a linguist at heart she has had an international focus on assignments for key players in the Food & Drink and Retail industry both across Europe and globally. As Head of Research, Anette leads the strategic direction and operational execution of the team ensuring delivery excellence across all search projects, working closely with Eden’s consultants to support providing exceptional executive search solutions to Eden’s clients.

As an experienced food and drink research specialist and key member of the Eden research team, Helen works with some of the best talent in the industry. Her in-depth research skills and thorough understanding of Eden’s clients needs allows her to perfectly match candidates and roles both locally and internationally. Helen began her career in law but moved into a research role in 2010. She worked for a leading FMCG specialist, where she supported the development of the company’s research function and led a number of high-profile searches. Helen has worked on assignments for a number of blue-chip international food and drink manufacturers, successfully sourcing senior operations and technical professionals.

Sophie is a highly accomplished research specialist with over a decade of expertise in high-level executive search and selection across the Manufacturing, Engineering, and Food sectors. Sophie has worked with businesses throughout the UK and Europe, where she consistently seeks a deep understanding of each organisation to better address their unique strategic needs.

At Eden, Sophie’s role is pivotal in partnering closely with consultants to bring unparalleled insights into senior-level candidate markets. Her meticulous research and comprehensive market analyses not only enhance the Eden search process but are instrumental in ensuring the successful delivery of complex, senior-level appointments.

Richard Macdonald

Richard Macdonald is one of the leading names in the UK food and farming sector developing an impressive executive and non-executive career during his 40 years in the sector. Richard was Director General (CEO) of the NFU from 1996-2009 . In that time he took a leading role in the BSE and Foot and Mouth crises as well as a number of farming reforms.

Since  retiring, Richard has been a highly successful  Non-Executive Director and Chair to the following businesses:

• NED at Moy Park for 8 years
• NED and Chair at Dairy Crest for 9 years
• Chair at Farm Africa, (including significant fund raising through his food industry expeditions.)
• Deputy Chair of the Environment Agency
• Deputy Chair of NIAB (plant sciences business)
• Chair of Sidai, (Kenyan animal health business)

Outside of the Boardroom, Richard enjoys most sports, anything East African, worries about climate change, and thoroughly enjoys food, life and his family.