Welcome to
VORENTA GROUP
Group Companies
Vorenta Ltd was established in 2018 as the visionary holding group for leading companies within the veterinary and food sectors. Our subsidiaries, HallMark Official Controls Ltd and HallMark Meat Hygiene Ltd (both trading as HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services), along with Meat & Livestock Commercial Services Ltd (trading as Meat & Livestock Classification), represent the core of our operations, embodying our commitment to excellence, innovation, and comprehensive service delivery in the Agrifood industry.
HALLMARK
HALLMARK
HallMark is renowned for its extensive service portfolio crucial to the Food and Farming Industry. Our expertise encompasses Veterinary Public Health, Animal Health and Welfare, Veterinary Export Health Certification, Official Controls and Meat Inspection Services, Specialist Resource Provision, and more, ensuring top-tier compliance and quality standards.
Serving a prestigious clientele including Defra, APHA, RPA, FSA, and numerous UK Port Health Authorities, HallMark stands as a trusted partner in fostering the integrity and efficiency of the Agrifood sector.
MLC
MLC
Our commitment to "The Value of Independence" reflects over 55 years of dedication to impartiality, enhancing market confidence, and ensuring fair compensation for farmers. As the sole national provider of these services, MLC's trained officers guarantee reliable and impartial classification, solidifying our position as a leader in the industry.
Our Vision
To be a trusted and innovative leader across the agrifood sector ensuring safety, sustainability and quality in food production from farm to fork. Through the combined expertise of our values-led businesses, we promote animal health and welfare, uphold the highest standards of integrity and assurance, and use innovation, technology and expertise to continually improve the way the sector operates.
Meat & Livestock Classification
Meat & Livestock Classification
HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services
HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services
HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services
Since its inception in 2002, HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services has emerged as a pivotal force in the UK Agrifood Sector. Our evolution, characterised by relentless innovation and adaptability, underscores our mission to provide superior resourcing solutions across the UK, serving both governmental and private sectors with unparalleled dedication.
Rooted in the legacy of the Meat Livestock Commission since 1967, MLC, established in April 2006, continues to play a critical role in the UK meat and livestock industry. Specialising in independent carcase classification and authentication, MLC ensures fair and unbiased valuation, promoting transparency and trust across the supply chain.
2 Divisions
1 Purpose
Our people make a positive difference to society. Our collective purpose is to strengthen and protect confidence in the agrifood sector through our expertise, independence and innovation.
Shared values
-
![]()
Collaboration
We understand what's expected of us
We work together and pull together using our collective strengths to drive progress
We support our colleagues, clients and the Company, sharing our skills and expertise to achieve common goals
-
![]()
Integrity
We put a premium on trust, accountability and honesty
We treat each other with respect
We see our Core Values as a joint commitment to each other to do the right thing
We act with sound moral judgement and ethics
-
![]()
Openness
We actively support and encourage honest and open communication
We value respectful and helpful feedback and discussion
We encourage and promote transparency
We engender a willingness to share views without fear or judgement
-
![]()
Quality
We strive for quality in everything we do
We continue to develop ourselves to be as good as we can be for our own and others' good
We prioritise accuracy, efficiency and effectiveness in our outputs
We aim to produce a high standard of work, consistently
We celebrate the satisfaction that comes from knowing we have done our best and see this in the feedback we receive from our co-workers, managers and customers
Meet the Team
Patrick Steel
-
Patrick Steel, appointed as Group Managing Director in March 2023, has been a pivotal part of the company since 2014. His journey through various roles has endowed him with a deep understanding of the Agrifood and compliance sectors. With a Master's in HR Management and a postgraduate diploma in Employment Law, Patrick is also a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD. His leadership is marked by strategic foresight and a commitment to driving Vorenta's growth and reinforcing its position as a leader in classification and veterinary services. Under his guidance, Vorenta has seen both internal development and external expansion, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in the industry.
Diego Sprekelsen
-
Diego Sprekelsen, as Group Operations Director at Vorenta Ltd., plays a pivotal role in driving excellence across companies like HallMark Veterinary & Compliance Services and Meat & Livestock Classification. Appointed in March 2023, alongside Patrick and Penny Thorne, following a management buyout, Diego's extensive experience at HallMark now benefits MLC. With over two decades in Veterinary Public Health and Regulatory Compliance, his expertise has been vital to HallMark's growth and success. Diego is committed to high performance, cooperative approaches, excellent leadership, and building strong professional relationships. His impact includes streamlining operations, leading growth initiatives, and aligning Vorenta Ltd's goals with its subsidiaries, fostering innovation and sustainable growth in the agri-food sector.
Penny Thorne
-
Penny Thorne, Group Finance Director with over 30 years of expertise, is key in steering the financial and IT operations at HallMark and MLC. Her diverse experience across sectors, particularly in the Agrifood industry, equips her to manage complex financial landscapes effectively. Penny's strategic approach has been instrumental in securing vital expansion funding and crafting financial strategies that drive HallMark and MLC's growth. Her financial acumen ensures the company's stability and influences its strategic decisions, positioning Vorenta Ltd as a leader in its field with a robust financial foundation.
Leigh Grant
-
Leigh Grant, as the Commercial Director of HallMark, brings over 30 years of experience from blue-chip food businesses where he held various Sales and Marketing Board positions, and gained extensive knowledge and experience from his tenure as Chief Executive of the RSPCA's farm assurance scheme. During this time, Leigh was a recognised by the European Commission as an expert speaker in the field of farm animal welfare and was a member of the standards committee for Humane Farm Animal Care in Washington DC. His expertise in sales, marketing and food assurance schemes is invaluable in developing HallMark's commercial strategies and maintaining key customer and supplier relationships. Leigh's strategic approach, and industry insights, are pivotal in driving HallMark's market presence and growth.
Jacqueline Hartwell
-
A Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, Jack brings over 20 years of senior HR leadership experience across sectors including publishing, high-tech, life sciences, and professional services. She has led global HR teams, delivered major organisational redesigns, and driven people strategies across complex, multi-national environments.
Before joining HallMark, Jack was HR Operations Director at Centaur Media plc, where she oversaw a significant transformation programme. She previously held Global Head of HR roles, where she led cultural change and introduced strategic initiatives in talent, engagement, leadership development, and HR systems. Her expertise strengthens HallMark’s commitment to people, performance, and growth.
