Management
Team

Graham Mclean
Non-Executive Director

A qualified agriculturalist, was appointed as Director of Agriculture of Camellia Plc in October 2014.He was previously Regional Director of the operations in Africa which included chairmanship of the EPK board.

Graham has worked for the Camellia Group for more than 30years.

Ketan Shah
Finance Director

Was appointed Finance Director in 2003.

He is a qualified Accountant and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya and a fellow member of The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, UK.

He has over 30 years experience in finance.

Noel Lindsay-Smith
Operations Director

Was appointed Operations Director in 2015.

He has a wide experience in the management of large-scale agricultural operations, having worked in tea and coffee plantation management for over 33 years.

He has a special interest in smallholder development, having managed the European Union funded smallholder tea rehabilitation programme in Uganda. He was also responsible for the project design, building and implementation of a dedicated smallholder tea factory in Tanzania.

He has held a number of additional roles during his career, including Chair of the Tea Research Institute of Tanzania (TRIT), Chair of the Tea Association of Tanzania (TAT) and served as a Director of EATTA.

He is a keen advocate for Company Community Partnerships, particularly the improvement of science and technology education in community schools.

Leah Kibii Chirchir
Company Director (Clients Outgrowers)

Leah joined EPK in 1987 as the first woman manager, in what was a male dominated industry. She has steadily risen through the ranks to her current position of Company Director. In her current role she is in charge of a number of managed clients’ farms, a factory and a smallholder out-grower department with over 14,000 registered farmers.

She also oversees community relations and industrial relations matters.

Eric Bii
General Manager Finance and Administration

Was appointed General Manager, Finance and Administration in 2015.

He is a qualified accountant and a member of the Institute Certified Public Accountants of Kenya. He is also a Certified Public Secretary (CPS).

Peter Goin
General Manager – West Operations

Peter joined EPK as an Agricultural trainee and was appointed General manager in 2024 after over 20 years progressive experience in field and factory operations. He has also served as Compliance and Environment Manager.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education Science, a Master’s Degree in Business administration (MBA) and a Diploma in project management.

He is a Chairman and Board of Management for two different secondary schools, and is also a Treasurer of Nandi County Tea Roads Maintenance Committee (TRMC).

Natalie Metto
Assistant General Manager – East Operations

With over two decades of experience in agribusiness, food security, and sustainable farming, Natalie understands that tea is more than just a commodity: She ensures responsible sourcing, environmental stewardship, and empowering farming communities to thrive.

With a Bachelor of Science in Agri-Business, Natalie has also worked extensively in agricultural extension, equipping smallholder farmers with knowledge and resources to enhance productivity and resilience.

Zafer Çakır
General Manager – Engineering

Was appointed General Manager in 2025.

With over 27 years of global experience, Zafer oversees engineering operations, driving efficiency, availability, and sustainability across civil, electrical, mechanical, steam, and automation systems.

He holds a Master’s degree in Electrical & Electronics Engineering and has received international recognition, including an IEEE Prize Paper Award from the Industrial Applications Society.

Richard Koech
General Manager – East Operations

Richard joined EPK as a Management Trainee and was appointed General Manager in 2017 after over 20 years progressive experience.

He has played a pivotal role in fostering positive employer-employee relationships as a member of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) Negotiation Committee. As Chairman of the EPK Group Gender Assess and Address Committee, he champions workplace diversity, equity and inclusion.

He is also the Chairman of the Board of Management of the EPK/KTGA-sponsored Nandi Hills Comprehensive School and chairman of the Board of Directors of Hills NWDT Sacco Society Ltd.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture.  

Peter Bett
General Manager – Central Operations

Peter is an experienced Agricultural Manager with over 30 years of leadership at EPK.

He holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management and an Undergraduate Degree in Agriculture (Crop Production). He is also a Certified Lead Auditor in Food Safety Management Systems.

As General Manager, he oversees all operational aspects of the company in Central Region, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and maintaining excellence in production and quality standards.

He also spearheads Health and Safety, Food Safety Management Systems and Education Docket.

Fancy Ngetich
Human Resources and Administration Manager

Fancy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management, is a Certified HR Practitioner (CHRP K) and a Member of the Institute of Human Resource Management (MIHRM).

She plays an integral role in EPK’s Operational Grievance Mechanism.

Fancy has over 20 years experience in Human Resources Management and Administration.

Rory McCaughan
Assistant General Manager – Technical

With an Honours degree in Forestry and Soil Science, MBA, and qualifications in Time Study and Project management, Rory has had a long career in commercial forestry, conservation forestry and land management. With experience in Swaziland, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Northern Ireland and England, he brings a wealth of diverse knowledge to EPK.

Rory has assisted in increasing the productivity of the tree plantations and improved management of EPK’s indigenous areas. He compiles data for the Company’s carbon footprint, and has been instrumental in its continual reduction per unit of product.

Simon Jones
Assistant General Manager – Engineering.

Was appointed Assistant General Manager in 2020.

He has over 30 years of experience in Leadership & Management, and commercial roles across various governments and international agencies.

Simon has a Higher Diploma in Leadership & Management, an Engineering Management Diploma and Cyber Governance and Policy Certificates.

Christine Kibirech
Assistant General Manager, Managed Clients and Out growers

Christine joined EPK as a Management Trainee and was appointed Assistant General Manager in 2023 after 19 years of progressive experience.

Christine also serves as a member of the EPK gender committee that advocates for gender equality and inclusivity.  

She plays a key role in the grievance committee, responsible for reviewing and resolving employee grievances.  

Christine has professional training in Food processing and Nutrition from Kenyatta University.

Zephania Mokaya
Assistant General Manager – West Operations

Zephania has steadily risen through the ranks from 1990 as an extension assistant to an Assistant General Manager.

A holder of a Diploma in Accounting, Zephania champions uprooting and replanting of tea for sustainability, case in point, the Savani Estate Project.

He is the Chairman of EPK/Kakuzi Management Welfare Association, BOM Chair Savani Secondary School and Hills NWDT Sacco Society Ltd Supervisory Committee Chairman.  

Joyce Chebii
Compliance and Environmental Manager

In her position as Compliance and Environmental Manager, Joyce oversees and ensures the company’s adherence to statutory, regulatory, environmental, certification and customer-related requirements. 

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Forestry and a Master of Philosophy in Forestry (specializing in Tropical Biology and Silviculture).

She is also a trained food safety lead auditor further strengthening her expertise in compliance assurance.

Joyce Mageto
Senior Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

Joyce leads our Company Community Partnerships programmes (CCPs). Through her leadership and coordination, our CCPs have won awards both locally, and globally.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development and has over 15 years of experience spanning across project management, gender, children's rights, social impact strategies and social compliance.

As the gender focal person and promoter of mental well-being, she has contributed to changing the gender landscape by establishing environments that support and sustain that change.