We are deeply saddened to share the news that Tony (John) Hewitt has passed away. Diagnosed with advanced lung cancer only a few weeks before his death, Tony passed away peacefully, surrounded by family. He will be greatly missed by many.
A near five-decade career at Elsoms
Tony began his career at Elsoms Seeds straight from Spalding Grammar School and remained with the business until his retirement in 2005, a remarkable near five-decade career.
He started in the seed warehouse before moving into the vegetable seed department, working alongside Ron Moorhouse. He later succeeded Ron as Vegetable Seeds Director, a role he held for over 20 years.
Widely respected across the vegetable industry
Tony was a well-known and highly respected figure in the UK vegetable industry, particularly within the carrot sector.
He played a pivotal role during a period of major growth, not just for Elsoms but for the wider market. His deep technical understanding, commercial insight, and ability to build trusted relationships made him a valued partner to many.
Shaping the partnership with Bejo
Tony was instrumental in developing the long-standing partnership between Elsoms and Bejo Zaden.
His close working relationship with Bejo director Ger Beemsterboer helped establish Elsoms as Bejo’s exclusive UK distributor, a position that continues today.
Tony also worked closely with Bejo’s breeders to ensure new varieties were trialled under UK conditions and tailored to the needs of local growers and packers. That work continues to influence today’s UK-focused portfolio.
Pioneering seed technology
Tony’s impact extended well beyond commercial leadership. He played a key role in introducing advanced seed technologies to the UK market.
He helped bring fluidised bed seed coating to the UK, developed early protocols for seed priming in carrots, onions and parsnips, and led Elsoms’ early work with Incotec on seed pelleting, a partnership that still exists today.
Many of the techniques Tony championed are now widely adopted across vegetable seed production.
Energy in the field
Tony brought energy and enthusiasm to every part of his work.
He loved being out in the field with breeders and growers, in all weathers, and was at the heart of many successful grower study trips organised by the team throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.
Committed to the industry
Even after his retirement, Tony remained a supporter of the UK vegetable sector.
He worked with Bejo to help establish their Western European team and actively promoted industry collaboration, hosting open days, supporting UKASTA and BSPB, and encouraging knowledge sharing across the sector.
Active in the community
Away from work, Tony gave his time generously.
In his younger years, he helped run Saturday night gigs at Springfields in Spalding and later became actively involved in Lions Clubs International, supporting their youth drug avoidance programme.
Family always came first
Tony was at the heart of a loving family.
He and Josie met when they were 10 and later began their relationship while working together at Elsoms. They shared 63 years of marriage.
Tony leaves behind Josie, their daughters Denise and Melanie, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A lasting legacy
Tony’s contribution to the industry, and to the people within it, was immense.
He leaves behind a legacy of expertise, generosity and warmth, and he will be remembered with great fondness and deep respect.
