Oksana Bowkett
Site Development Manager
Location: Langford Site, England
When did you start with Monaghan?
Originally from Ukraine, I graduated from the National Agricultural University in Kyiv with a Master’s degree in finance and management. My journey in the mushroom industry commenced in June 2005 when I arrived in the UK as a seasonal worker at Fiddleford Mushrooms Ltd. Starting as a harvester, I quickly progressed to a harvesting trainer, and by the end of my first year, I was promoted to Harvesting Manager.
What other jobs have you done with Monaghan?
In July 2011, I became a Site Administrator at Monaghan Mushrooms in Langford. I later advanced to Harvesting Development Manager, and for the past three years, I have served as Site Development Manager. With 21 years of experience in the mushroom industry—from harvester to management—I’ve come to understand that nothing is unattainable when you work diligently and remain dedicated to your aspirations.
What do you like best about working at Monaghan?
I firmly believe that the foundation of business success lies in its people. Achieving impressive results and reaching ambitious goals ultimately hinges on the team's commitment. I appreciate how Monaghan acknowledges and supports its employees, and I am proud to play a role in developing the Monaghan Wellbeing Plan across the Group. It’s a significant way to honour our team and highlight the importance of wellbeing.
What’s been your best experience at Monaghan?
Being involved in the community is also a vital part of my identity. I love participating in charity events and motivating the Langford team to join in. Our inaugural event was the 5k Race for Life in 2019, with 16 employees participating. Since then, our involvement has expanded, and over the past seven years, the Langford site has taken part in the 5k Race for Life, the Mendip Walk, the Moonlight Beach Walk, half marathons, cycling events, and onsite raffles supporting children’s hospitals, hospice care, and cancer research charities.
What advice would you give to anyone thinking about joining Monaghan?
Not everyone can say this these days, but I genuinely can: I love my job. I enjoy collaborating with people from diverse backgrounds, and every day brings new experiences.
Monaghan provides numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth. My advice is straightforward: don’t hesitate to try something new, develop fresh skills, or embrace a new role. Go for it!
The benefits of working for Monaghan
Monaghan’s culture is built on a natural curiosity to find out more. This is how we achieve true breakthroughs that further our position as a world-leading business. Join us and you will be joining a dynamic, diverse team of over 2,500 people that continues to grow. We are fully committed to developing our people at every level of the business.
We’re proud to play a key role in nurturing the next generation of fresh young talent. We believe in the power of opportunities and that’s why we’ve created a culture where everyone has an equal chance to grow and prosper.