Experience

IMP & Maker

• United Kingdom
• Food and Beverage Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder

  • Sep 2020 - Present

  Shining a light on some of the most innovative food & drink producers in the UK today, IMP & MAKER is the idea of award-winning food producer and entrepreneur, Sarah Louise Fairburn. After many years working in the food industry and with some of the UK’s most prestigious food retailers, she has combined her vast industry knowledge, passion for sourcing the finest, freshest ingredients and commitment to sustainability, welfare and supply chain transparency, to bring an unrivalled sensory experience to discerning foodies. IMP & MAKER hampers are filled to the brim with the finest foodie finds from established, emerging and exciting new names in the food & drink world. Sit back and relax knowing that when your hamper arrives, every delicious food discovery has been hand-selected from award-winning artisans, farmers and entrepreneurs. Added extras including ideas, recipes and serving suggestions for how to make the most of your hamper experience and create show-stopping food & drink moments. Show less


The Star Trust
• United Kingdom
• Fundraising
• Board Member

  • Mar 2023 - Present

Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce
• United Kingdom
• Information Services
• 1 - 100 Employee
• NED Leading on Food & Drink

  • Oct 2021 - Present


Greater Lincolnshire LEP

• United Kingdom
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Deputy Chair

  • Jan 2019 - Present

  Providing the board with insight into Lincolnshire’s growing food industry – a priority sector for the LEP. Greater Lincolnshire LEP works with businesses and local authorities to develop and grow Greater Lincolnshire’s diverse economy. Working with central government and the private sector our mission is to drive investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation to help boost the Greater Lincolnshire Economy and make our great county the destination to live, work and visit. Providing the board with insight into Lincolnshire’s growing food industry – a priority sector for the LEP. Greater Lincolnshire LEP works with businesses and local authorities to develop and grow Greater Lincolnshire’s diverse economy. Working with central government and the private sector our mission is to drive investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation to help boost the Greater Lincolnshire Economy and make our great county the destination to live, work and visit.



Greater Lincolnshire Food Board

• Chair

  • Jan 2020 - Present

  Owning and communicating the Agri-food sector plan for Greater Lincolnshire by leading on strategy and delivery, championing key projects, alongside developing influence and engaging with important businesses. Building on existing representative structures, including the Lincolnshire Forum for Agriculture and Horticulture, National Centre for Food Manufacturing employer panels, and the Grimsby seafood cluster, to articulate a single unified voice for the Agri-food supply chain in Greater Lincolnshire. Show less



Connected Coast Board

• Board Member

  • Dec 2019 - Mar 2023

  Government's Joint Towns Deal for Skegness and Mablethorpe. Co-ordinating a board of councils, MPs and other key stakeholders to BID for £50 million to support deprived areas. Leading on key investment priorities and project proposals, creating a team that can successfully produce a robust and entrepreneurial, locally-owned Town Investment Plan. Proposals are set to drive long-term economic productivity growth through investments in connectivity, land-use, and economic assets, including cultural assets, skills and enterprise infrastructure. Show less



L J Fairburn & Son Limited

• United Kingdom
• Food Production
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Commercial and Sustainability Director

  • Jun 2020 - Sep 2020

  Commercial and Sustainability Director for our multi award-winning family business L J Fairburn and Son Ltd, one of the largest independent egg packers in the UK. Having helped completely transform the company’s business model and infrastructure, from a small farming business to a major food enterprise in just 7 years, I’m responsible for:• leading and strengthening the company’s loyal producer network• looking at new and industry-first ways of working with farmers• seeking novel and sustainable approaches to welfare, • directing new product development and innovation I am passionate about understanding our business at every level and this knowledge allows me to diversify and vertically integrate all our business processes. We now have key customer relationships with all our retail partners, and I’m working on ensuring our support and links with producers are second to none in the sector. I am incredibly proud to be part of the senior leadership team at L J Fairburn & Son Limited that has shaped the business to move direct to retail. Since taking over the business from the previous generation, we have moved from £12 million to £96 million turnover. Show less

• Brand and Sales Director

  • 2011 - Jun 2020

  As Brand and Sales Director, I played a fundamental role in transforming the business. From 2011 to 2018, turnover grew by over 450%, while profit before tax grew by over 900%. L J Fairburn & Son Limited grew from being the 13th largest egg packer to the 2nd largest. My strategic approach of cutting out the middleman and securing multiple supermarket contracts had never been seen in the history of the egg industry. This was led by applying significant operational and infrastructure advancements requiring continuous inward investment and capital expenditure. Our efforts have driven enviable results, multiple award wins, and significant industry-wide recognition. We are industry leaders in developing brands which deliver incremental sales growth and valuable USPs for our customers. I was central in the creation of the British Blue® eggs – the first blue eggs laid by British hens, on British soil. In 2017, the eggs became the first hens’ eggs to win a Great Taste Award. Our British Blues® are now sold by the likes of Aldi, Sainsbury’s, Costco and Lincolnshire Co-Op. Show less



The Nottingham Building Society

• Systems Improvement Driver/ Mortgage Adviser

  • 2007 - 2010

  After a big move from Leeds to living in Skegness I decided to undertake my CeMap qualification to enable me advise on and sell mortgages and mortgage products as it was always an area of interest to me. Covering multiple branches across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire the Nottinghamshire Building Society gave me the flexibility I needed after such a big move. Coincidentally the Building Society also had embarked on making huge changes to its systems, and with my previous Business Improvement experience in the banking sector, approached me to move to its head office to manage the implementation teams. After the new systems had been successfully implemented I moved on to work in my family business who desperately needed to change its routes to market. Show less



CYBG PLC

• Business Improvement Driver

  • 2004 - 2006

  Working through the ranks I was promoted to Business Improvement Driver for the National Australia Group (CYBG PLC is the parent company of Clydesdale Bank PLC with its Yorkshire Bank brand). Responsible for developing and implementing new sales strategies, I trained business banking teams across the UK to deliver services which helped manage finances for the current business climate, and that of the future. I was responsible for the strategic implementation and delivery of a new banking system across both businesses, as well as successfully launching, managing and developing its use with all customer facing employees. Show less



Yorkshire Bank

• United Kingdom
• Banking
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Personal Banker

  • 2001 - 2004

  Always very driven and keen to learn, I left school with ambitions and a desire to progress in the world of business. I was determined to develop key skills which would help improve my business acumen. After cross selling products and services on the counter and then moving into personal banking I found my forte, sales! I quickly began to get recognition from the management team when my sales figures surpassed those of my colleagues. I was head hunted by Head Office to help develop and implement the banks sales strategies, alongside a huge project that had been undertaken to completely change and implement a new banking system across all its branches. I left the branch to work as the company’s Business Improvement Driver. Show less