Meet our team
Our greatest asset is our team of people, both behind the scenes and in store.
We employ over 100 people at five sites throughout the UK. These includes engineers, joiners, electricians, seamstresses, printers, wirers, merchandisers, pickers, packers, administrators, chefs and of course, beekeepers.
Many of our team have been with us for most of their working career. In fact our ex-Foreman, and now consultant, John Edwards, has just celebrated working with us for 65 years.
The picture shows most of our staff at our Rand head office.
Senior Management
Rebecca Coleman
Company Director
Rebecca is 4th generation 'Thorne' and used to enjoy beekeeping with her Grandad, Leslie. She joined the company permanently in 2006. Rebecca previously worked as a Management Consultant in London.
Paul Smith
Managing Director
Paul joined Thornes in 1976 and has worked in every department. He oversaw the acquisition of EH Taylor Ltd. in 1984 and the move to our new site in 2010.
Gill Smith (nee Thorne)
Company Director and Chairman of the Board
Gill is the eldest daughter of Leslie and Joan Thorne. She started the sewing department, the digital printing of honey labels and the change from typewriters to computers!
Colin Barber
Despatch and Shop Supervisor
Colin joined us in June 2010 and what a fantastic asset to the Thorne team. Colin runs the despatch, shop and engineers here at our head office in Rand, Lincolnshire.
Adrian Rogers
Office Supervisor
Adrian joined us in 2003 and looks after the running of our Rand office, ably assisted by a smashing team. He enjoys keeping bees in a Warre hive.
Andy Hill
Workshop Foreman
Andy first worked for us in various departments in the 1980s. We are now very pleased to say he has joined us again as our new foreman running all aspects of the woodwork shop. His prior knowledge of our equipment manufacturing has proved invaluable.
Branch Managers
Bob Loades and John White
Windsor Branch Managers
Bob was 8 when first exposed to bees & started keeping bees in the 90s. 3 years as an SBI and started at Thornes in 2011. John is a hobbyist beekeeper who likes to experiment with keeping bees in different ways, always with the bees well being at heart.
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Lin Coleman
Stockbridge Branch Manager
Lin has been selling beekeeping equipment for over 30 years. For the last 12 years she has been offering beekeeping advice and running our Stockbridge shop in Hampshire.
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Brian Nish
Scotland Branch Manager
Brian has managed the Scotland branch since opening in 1998, and has over 40 years experience trading in beekeeping equipment. He also makes all our popular TS candle moulds.
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Abi Hanafin, Pete Cook and Nancy Orchard
Devon Branch Managers
Abi, Nancy and Pete are keen beekeepers. Abi has run the shop since 2018 and Nancy and Pete joined more recently. They make a great team and will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
View BranchVisit our branches
E.H. Thorne (Beehives) Ltd - Lincolnshire Head Office & Factory
Thornes of Windsor
Thornes of Scotland
Thornes of Stockbridge
