Meet the Team

Get to know the individuals who make up our exceptional team

Senior Management Team

Patrick Steel  

  • Patrick Steel, appointed as Group Managing Director of HallMark in March 2023, has been a pivotal part of the company since 2014. His journey through various roles has endowed him with a deep understanding of the veterinary and compliance sectors. With a Master's in HR Management and a postgraduate diploma in Employment Law, Patrick is also a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. His leadership is marked by strategic foresight and a commitment to driving HallMark's growth and reinforcing its position as a leader in veterinary services.

Diego Sprekelsen

  • Diego Sprekelsen, with over two decades in Veterinary Public Health, Animal Health, Animal Welfare and Regulatory Compliance, has been a cornerstone of HallMark since 2004. As Group Operations Director, he ensures operational excellence across the company. His leadership in bid writing and financial management has been vital in HallMark's growth. Diego's strategic vision and deep industry knowledge have established HallMark as a top-tier provider of veterinary services, driving innovation and operational success.

Penny Thorne      

  • Penny Thorne, a finance expert with over 30 years of experience, is the Group Finance Director at HallMark. Her expertise spans various sectors, including the veterinary industry. Penny's role is crucial in managing finances and IT, ensuring robust financial operations. She has been instrumental in securing funding for expansion and in developing financial strategies that guide HallMark's growth and decision-making, enhancing the company's financial stability and strategic direction.

Leigh Grant  

  • Leigh Grant, as the Commercial Director of HallMark, brings over 30 years of experience from blue-chip food businesses where he held various Sales and Marketing Board positions, and gained extensive knowledge and experience from his tenure as Chief Executive of the RSPCA's farm assurance scheme. During this time, Leigh was a recognised by the European Commission as an expert speaker in the field of farm animal welfare and was a member of the standards committee for Humane Farm Animal Care in Washington DC. His expertise in sales, marketing and food assurance schemes is invaluable in developing HallMark's commercial strategies and maintaining key customer and supplier relationships. Leigh's strategic approach, and industry insights, are pivotal in driving HallMark's market presence and growth.

Scott Murphy

  • Appointed in August 2024, Scott Murphy brings to the Vorenta Group over 28 years of extensive expertise spanning various sectors including retail, online platforms, wholesale, supply chain, pharmacy, and veterinary services. His career is marked by senior roles where he excelled in customer relationship management, business development, and transformation initiatives. At Vorenta, Scott leads our Commercial Development, focusing on driving growth through strategic project delivery and strengthening customer and supplier relationships. His leadership in managing large, diverse teams across remote settings ensures innovative solutions and continued excellence in service delivery.

Luis Castromil    

  • Luis Castromil, a seasoned veterinarian and expert in Border Official Controls, heads HallMark's import division. Since qualifying as a Portal Official Veterinarian (POV) in 2016, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in managing teams and stakeholder relations. Luis's role involves overseeing POVs, performance management, and emergency response coordination. His expertise and leadership are crucial in maintaining operational excellence and fostering growth in HallMark's import services.

Luisma Diez  

  • Luisma Diez, with two decades of expertise in Export Certification and Veterinary Public Health, leads HallMark's export division. He manages stakeholder relations and oversees national field resources, ensuring client satisfaction and compliance. As the Technical Lead for export certification, Luisma's role is central to maintaining HallMark's high standards in export services, addressing challenges, and fostering positive stakeholder relationships.

Our success is built on our people

Beyond our senior management, HallMark is powered by a dedicated team, both at our Gloucestershire headquarters and across the UK. Our Central Support Department handles vital corporate functions like finance, HR, IT, and administrative support, ensuring seamless operations. Nationally, our skilled veterinarians, technicians, Project Managers and administrators, led by experienced Team Leaders and Area Veterinary Managers, deliver high-quality, efficient services. This blend of central coordination and national expertise allows us to maintain our commitment to excellence in the Agrifood sector.