Lancashire Ambassador News
Lancashire Ambassador Nigel Murray on Booths : Investing in people, investing in Lancashire.
As a Lancashire Ambassador and CEO of Booths, Nigel Murray has long championed the county — its talent, its producers, its communities and the businesses that give them a future. At the heart of Booths’ commitment to its people is a quietly transformative training initiative that Louise Dunn, Booths’ Learning and Engagement Manager and her team have built over the past five years.
“This isn’t about headlines. It’s about people,” says Louise. “We’ve developed five specialist training academies — Butchery, Fishmonger and Cheese — open to colleagues across all 25 of our North West stores. Each programme runs over 20 weeks alongside regular working hours, covering everything from commercial skills to the kind of craft knowledge that used to be passed down through generations. Cutting, curing, filleting, ageing, tasting — real skills.”
The programme was pioneered by Craft & Skill Manager Colin Porter and a dedicated team of Operational Trainers, working closely with Louise’s team to bring it to life. “What I’m most proud of isn’t just the structure — it’s the philosophy behind it,” Louise continues. “At Booths, we’ve always believed that the best customer experience doesn’t come from a script. It comes from a colleague who genuinely knows their craft. Someone who can look a customer in the eye and say: try this cut, cook it this way, pair it with that.”
The graduates speak for themselves. Kate Emerson Brown, a Cheese Academy graduate, described how the programme gave her the confidence to create seasonal displays, guide customers and turn a simple purchase into a genuine experience. Jack Hewitt, who completed the Fish Academy, arrived as someone who wouldn’t normally reach for fish and left as a passionate advocate for it.
Kate Emerson Brown said: “I really enjoyed being part of the academy, it helped me gain more knowledge and grow my confidence when it came to serving suggestions and the different ways to cook with cheese. My favourite part since graduating has been creating new seasonal displays and tastings for customers to enjoy — it’s lovely to see everyone taking photos and buying the cheeses that are showcased!”
“That transformation — from colleague to craftsperson — is what great training looks like,” says Nigel Murray. “At Booths, we’ve always believed that people are our greatest asset, and that belief has to be backed by action, not just words. These academies are our commitment made real. When we invest in our colleagues’ skills and confidence, we’re investing in the communities we serve, and ultimately in Lancashire itself.
“That’s something I’m immensely proud of, and it’s exactly the spirit that the Lancashire Ambassadors represent — businesses putting their money where their mouth is and leading by example and ultimately attracting talent and inspiring people to stay in the county for work.”
Fish Academy Graduate Jack Hewitt said: “I have a passion for learning new skills and applying myself to new challenges. I’m definitely a foodie person so having the opportunity to learn more about fish and the amazing meals that can be created has been one of my favourite experiences — as I wouldn’t normally go for fish, but since being on the academy that has 100% changed.”
Louise adds: “As a family-owned independent supermarket with deep roots across Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cumbria and Cheshire, Booths has earned its position as the UK’s leading regional retailer by doing things properly — sourcing locally, thinking seasonally and now, training seriously. That commitment to craft isn’t just good retail. It’s a statement about what kind of county we want to be. Lancashire is a place that builds things. Skills. Businesses. Futures. And we intend to keep proving that tradition and ambition aren’t in conflict — they’re the same thing.”
Nigel Murray, CEO and Lancashire Ambassador, adds: “These are exactly the kinds of stories worth amplifying — businesses putting their money where their mouth is, investing in their people not because they have to, but because they understand that a skilled workforce is a competitive advantage for the business, the community, and Lancashire as a whole. It’s about attracting talent and inspiring them to stay in the county to work.”
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Nigel Murray is a Lancashire Ambassador — part of a place-led group of Lancashire businesses championing the county locally, nationally and internationally, working in partnership with Marketing Lancashire to showcase why Lancashire is an exceptional place to live, work and invest. Read more here.