Ella Kelly, a third generation member of the family that brought the traditional bronze turkey back to the Christmas dinner table, has joined Kelly Turkeys – combining her role as marketing manager with farm duties looking after the birds.
“It’s an exciting time to be starting with the business on the eve of its 50th anniversary and with our new charcuterie company launching next year,” said Ella Kelly. “A lot of my role is working on that as well as events to mark our anniversary year.”
Ella graduated last year from the University of York with a degree in environment, economics and ecology. She did a four-month internship at a digital marketing agency, and then gained experience with an events company in London and with the marketing team at the Jamie Oliver headquarters.
“I was also offered a job at a market research and brand strategy agency in London,” she said. “However, due to COVID-19 my start date was postponed as they couldn’t afford to take on new people in the current climate.”
Kelly Turkeys celebrates its first 50 years in 2021. The business was founded by Derek and Molly Kelly when they bought a broiler farm with a chick hatchery at Danbury in Essex, and then switched to hatching turkey poults for the niche Christmas market. Today with their son Paul as managing director, Kelly Turkeys is one of the leading producers of premium traditional turkeys including the multiple award-winning KellyBronze.
“It is particularly satisfying to have a granddaughter join us,” said Derek Kelly. “She earned her stripes with a very successful social media campaign last Christmas. I look forward to her continued success to justify my prediction that she will be a valuable addition to our team.”
