The Women of Wyke

With International Women’s Day arriving this month, on 8th March, we’re celebrating the achievements of women in all aspects of our lives, but especially here at Wyke. As a family business started by a supremely talented and impressive woman, our grandmother Ivy Clothier, we’ve benefitted hugely from the skill, dedication and leadership of inspiring women across everything we do.
To reflect on what’s changed, what we can cheer and where we still need to do better, we’ve talked to three women who are working at Wyke now: Di Cox, Technical Director and Master Grader; Lucie Clothier, Assistant Management Accountant and fourth-generation family cheesemaker; and Amy Young, our Brand Manager.

How has life changed for working women in your lifetime?

Di Cox: When I started working in the dairy industry, there was a very clear division of roles for men and women within the organisation. It wasn’t a written rule but very much accepted practice. This has changed significantly over the years with equal opportunities for women across the industry. I think this is reflective of how things have changed for all working women in all businesses.

Lucie Clothier: In my lifetime, the biggest change has been the growing emphasis on equality and flexibility. Remote working and hybrid roles have opened doors for women to balance careers and personal lives better. There’s also more visibility of women in leadership roles and a stronger push for equal pay and representation in traditionally male-dominated sectors like finance and manufacturing.

Amy Young: I’ve been lucky enough to start my career in a time where opportunities for women have expanded massively and when I first started there was already a strong push for equality. Today women are encouraged to lead, speak up and shape businesses in ways that weren’t possible before and I think that’s a real privilege and something we should be taking advantage of in respect to the women before us who fought for this position.

How has it changed at Wyke in your time here?

Di Cox: It has been really good to see the team at Wyke growing and including more women across the whole business. It’s not necessarily a sudden increase, but rather a continuation and evolution of women's integral roles, particularly in skilled areas, in an industry that has become more accessible and skill-focused over time. It is also so encouraging to see the 4th generation of the family joining the business. I am so proud to be part of Wyke Farms at a time when we are building a strong team for the future which includes a number of very strong, capable women who will ensure the business continues to grow and thrive.

Lucie Clothier: At Wyke, I’ve seen a real commitment to diversity and inclusion. There’s encouragement for women to progress into leadership roles, and the culture feels supportive, whether it’s through training opportunities or flexible working arrangements. It’s clear that women’s voices are valued in decision-making.

Amy Young: When I joined Wyke as a Marketing Executive six years ago, I could already see the influence of strong women in the business. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by brilliant women who are incredible at their jobs and passionate about what they do. That energy really drives and encourages me to develop and progress every day.‍

Who are your heroines, and why?

Di Cox: I don’t have one single heroine in business. Instead, I have taken inspiration from a mix of people I’ve worked with and observed, women who show resilience, honesty, and the ability to lead without losing their humanity. For me, a role model isn’t one person, but the collection of qualities I see in everyday leaders who balance pressure, take responsibility, and still lift others up.

Lucie Clothier: My heroines are women who’ve broken barriers in finance and business, like Christine Lagarde, for her leadership in global economics and her immense achievement as the first women leader in the European Central Bank, and Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, for her incredible vision and ability to lead a global company while advocating for diversity and inclusion. They inspire me because they combined resilience with innovation and proved that confidence and persistence can change industries.

Amy Young: One of my biggest inspirations at work is Ivy Clothier, who helped build Wyke’s heritage. Her resilience and vision created something that still stands strong today. It’s an honour to share her story with the world, and I’d like to think she would be proud of how we continue to tell it and do it justice.

 Finally, what does International Women’s Day mean to you?

Di Cox: International Women's Day is important on a personal level because it provides a dedicated moment to recognise the achievements of the women I have worked with in the past as well as the team I work with now, and to recognise the great women I know outside of work. It is also an important day to recognise the women  throughout the world who do not have the same opportunities I have had.

Lucie Clothier: To me, it’s a day to celebrate progress and reflect how far we have come in the last three decades but also reflect on what still needs to change. It’s about recognizing the achievements of women everywhere and continuing to push for equality, not just in pay, but in opportunities, representation and respect.

Amy Young: For me, it’s a chance to celebrate progress and the women who inspire us every day. It’s also a reminder that there’s still work to do to make equality a reality everywhere. At Wyke, it’s about recognising the incredible women who keep our business moving forward, from the farm to the boardroom, and making sure the next generation has even more opportunities.

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