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Industry bids farewell to watercress pioneer Malcolm Isaac
Isaac’s journey with Watercress began in 1951 when he took responsibility for an acre of watercress beds just outside New Alresford in Hampshire. It was here that he adopted newly developed cultivation methods that allowed his crops to thrive during a period where the industry struggled with fungal root disease.
By the 1960s Isaac had achieved wholesale success following the acquisition of Vitacress, of which he became part owner and managing director of Vitacress Sales. Observing the growth of supermarket chains, he invested heavily to serve these new markets and in 1967 launched the UK’s first pre-packed salad.
Hub of innovation
The business went on to become a hub of innovation in the fresh prepared salads sector, including the launch of the UK’s first fresh garden peas and Marks & Spencer’s first ever TV advert for food.
In 2008, aged almost 80, Isaac sold Vitacress to Portuguese group RAR, now a business with some 14 farms and factories in the UK, Portugal and Kenya – together with Spanish and USA strategic alliances.
Former Vitacress group production and technical director Steve Rothwell reflected on his time working with Isaac, whom he worked with for more than 40 years.
Vision, integrity and determination
“I have enjoyed his unerring support in the development and implementation of many firsts for the industry,” said Rothwell. “He was a man of great vision, utter integrity and iron-willed determination.
“His mantra was ‘High value. Low volume. High perishability’ and he followed that ethos in the transformation of watercress from a humble staple to a premium superfood and the creation of what is now the baby leaf salads sector.
“But despite his passion for the business Malcolm always maintained a healthy enthusiasm for his shooting and fishing. I recall many a May board meeting coming to an abrupt halt as Malcolm stuffed his papers into his battered brief case with the words ‘well the flies are rising..’ and he was off to the tranquillity of the river!”
