Kendrick founded Stort Chemicals Ltd with his late wife Marguerite in 1980 in Bishop’s Stortford. He obtained a BSc in Chemistry from Birmingham University in 1961. Together, he and Marguerite ran the business until 1995, when their son Richard joined as Managing Director. Kendrick is still involved in the business overseeing its continued long-term growth with the help of his daughter Emma and other family members who are part of the close-knit Stort team.

Richard joined Stort Chemicals Ltd in 1995 after four years at Barclays Bank, including 18 months working in Milan. He became Managing Director in 2000. Richard has an MBA from Cranfield School of Management and was Chairman of the Chemical Business Association (CBA) from 2023 to 2025. He has also sat on the Government’s Prompt Payment Advisory Board.

After obtaining a BA Hons in American Studies and working in stock photography sales in both London and Sydney, Emma joined Stort Chemicals Ltd in 2001 to focus on the Flavour and Fragrance side, alongside founding director (and father!) Kendrick Gilkes. She joined the Board of Directors in 2006 and has served on the Council of the British Society of Perfumers. Outside of the world of scents and family, Emma’s passions are cinema and travel.

After relocating back to the UK from Australia, Melanie is excited to join the family business again after 19 years. She looks forward to returning to the office where she grew up and learnt the ropes from her mother, Marguerite Gilkes.