Team Horsemat
Our Team is brand and business integrity. Our people give Horsemat meaning, personality and life. Kim and Steve believe “you are a long time working” so it is vital that their staff are happy in what they do. After all, the only way to achieve great things is with great people, who truly enjoy their job!
We work hard and play hard, but never a day goes past when we don’t all belly laugh together and as for Friday afternoons… it descends to generally total hysterical filth and often a sing along, sometimes even Disney!
We pride ourselves on our friendly approach, our honesty and best advice. There are not many scenarios we haven’t come across when discussing the best products for applications from a “foot fetish” companies inner soles to matting for so many different horses, hot tubs to Rhino’s, we doubt there is much that will surprise us!
So, we thought we would introduce you to our team, giving you a little insight into who we are!
Steve Cant
Steve is Kim’s husband – he is the entrepreneurial and technical brains behind Horsemat – mostly day to day he runs our sister company East Anglian Sealing Company, but as a husband and wife team they are fully aware of what goes on in each other’s domains! In his spare time, he enjoys, shooting – clays mainly, fishing – but now he is “getting on a bit”, only in the nice weather and has in the last year restarted his passion for Art and takes classes. With regards to Horses although probably the team member with the most experience, he prefers “Horsepower” with brakes and a steering wheel now, he says he doesn’t bounce anymore! He is not very sentimental or soppy, but his Granddaughter Freya, has him wrapped round her little finger and they can often be found both tramping round the fields in their wellies – Grampie and Granddaughter against the world! As a good ol’ Suffolk Boy, he can be a bit blunt, calls a “Spade a SPADE” and has a sandpaper dry sense of humour – which is probably reflected in the answers to his questions:
Favourite place in the world and place you would like to go? “Bed and Heaven”
If you could be any animal what would you be?“A pig” followed by the first line of a song, Kim guesses he doesn’t know the rest of the words….”A pig is an animal with dirt on his face”…
His shoes are a terrible disgrace
He has no manners when he eats his food….
What is your pet peeve? People asking stupid questions!
What was the best meal you’ve ever had? The last one (incidentally bacon rolls)
Favourite Quote?“Horses, put £50 notes in the mouth and get 50p bags of s*** out the back!”
Kim Cant
Kim would say that Steve lives to work and she works to live, and as co-directors it’s probably why they’re still married! She is the Management brains behind Horsemat (and East Anglian Seals) and day to day she heads the Horsemat office. Otherwise known as “Mama Kim”, she clucks around us all ensuring we are fed, watered, warm, and happy. Sadly, she says, that setting her up in her own business, was Steve’s cunning plan to keep her too busy for horses. She still loves them – particularly Suffolk Punches and different disciplines. Kim loves her holiday’s and can be found browsing exotic places on the internet. She always has her Kindle with her, although rarely knows the name of the book she is reading, just knows it’s usually, good! And of course, her family, real and borrowed – but best of all Kim loves being a Nana! And as she and Steve start to take a bit of a back seat, she is looking forward to having another Grandchild soon.
Favourite place in the world and place you would like to go?
Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka means prosperous land, in this day and age we associate prosperity with the material things we have, Sri Lanka taught me that prosperity is the beauty of its surroundings and its people, who work so hard to live in harmony with each other.
South Africa – particularly Tambuti Lodge, Black Rhino Game Reserve, already been but would love to go back, taking all my children, otherwise known as SADBAG’s, sons and daughters, boyfriends and girlfriends, take it over, it only has 5 rooms and share with them and enjoy their thrill and excitement on game drives.
If you could be any animal what would you be?
A White Rhino – but only if I could wipe out all poachers by stamping on them.
What is your pet peeve? Bad Manners – “manners maketh man”
What was the best meal you’ve ever had? Either Christmas dinners with all my family, a standard set by my amazing grandparents or Launceston Place in London – 9 course tasting menu, with Steve for his birthday, not necessarily the meal although it was superb but it was romantic (one of very few occasions) and a time with him I will always treasure.
Favourite Quote?If the person you are talking to doesn’t seem to be listening, be patient. It may be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear – Winnie the Pooh. I think Steve might have a small sheep in both his ears!
Tom Walker
Tom is now Horsemat’s Business Development manager. He has been with HM (and East Anglian seals) for more years than he hasn’t now! He came to us straight from school at 16, his desire to earn money being his biggest priority. Boy to man, he has grown with us, through pure hard graft and turning his hands to everything, there is very little about any aspect of the business he doesn’t know and very few scenarios he hasn’t come across. Although now happily married to the long-suffering Becky, with two gorgeous children he is a loveable rogue and a bit of a charming flirt! He has beautiful Eurasia Dog called Ember. His daughter would like to take up riding, but he is doing everything in his power to put her off!
In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking and watching Rugby with a beer in hand!
Favourite place in the world and place you would like to go? Choice: From my heart riding my bike, from my head and probably the option I SHOULD say “Spending time with my wife and kids!”
I would really like to go to Canada or New Zealand.
If you could be any animal what would you be? A Cheetah, because they are fast and hard to see.
What is your pet peeve? Girls NOT lifting the toilet seat up after they have been to the loo! 😜
What was the best meal you’ve ever had? A taverna in Greece, eating giros and watching the sunset.
Favourite Quote? “You can never have too much of a good thing”
Ben Barton
Ben’s was with HM for nearly 5 years, but has moved across to work mainly with East Anglian Sealing Company now. He does switch and help out with HM when needed and shares his wealth of knowledge and experience. In his spare time, he enjoys going to the cinema with his wife Ella but might have to do less of this now they have a beautiful little boy called Toby. There is no doubt Ben’s our Disney specialist and can beat us all hands down with Disney “Name that tune” and “the film!”
Favourite place in the world and place you would like to go? Porto Santo – little sister island near Madeira. Everyone’s dream – New York!
If you could be any animal what would you be? A giraffe! In our opinion he is tall and lanky enough!
What is your pet peeve? Hearing people eat -particularly crisps – that’ll be Thomas then!
What was the best meal you’ve ever had? A simple place but Bella Italia at Centre Parcs, it was my first trip there with Ella, it was a great meal and really romantic. We have been back since, but hasn’t been as the same! (Romantic devil – Tom and Steve obviously haven’t influenced him yet then?!).
Favourite Quote? Cool Runnings – “I see Pride! I see Power! I see a bad-ass Mother who don’t take no crap off of nobody!”
Sophie Rule
Sophie is Kim and Steve’s daughter – Incredibly friendly, passionate, knowledgeable and approachable, she deals with most of the Horsemat Sales. She is meticulously organised and oversees all of the installations, making sure the fitters are in the right places at the right time, have all they need including, if necessary hotels to stay in and meals to eat! Together with Jamie, she is overseeing more of the personnel side of both businesses as Kim takes a bit of a back seat. She enjoys long walks on the beach, with Dan, her husband and daughter Freya – they are early risers and even in the winter will get up to be there in time for sunrise, with their crazy Welsh Border Collie Sky. They are incredibly excited that in the middle of this year they will welcome a new “Baby Rule” to their family, Kim and Steve are over the moon and hope to spend more time with their new grandchild as they distance themselves a bit from Horsemat and East Anglian Seals.
Favourite place in the world and place you would like to go? Greece, Sophie and Dan got married on a beach in Lefkas and would most love to go to Bali.
If you could be any animal what would you be? A Unicorn – because they are magic and poop jelly beans!
What is your pet peeve? Sprinkling hot chocolate all over the work surface and not wiping it up, people who don’t recycle, people who take the last tea bag out the pot and don’t fill it up, people who don’t tidy up after themselves, people who don’t do their own filing, sexism, misogyny…. Having asked this question, we wished we hadn’t!
What was the best meal you’ve ever had? “Soul in a bowl”, cooked by my husband
Favourite Quote? Opinion is really the lowest form of knowledge.
Theo Cant
Yes, of course he’s Kim and Steve’s son! He is 24 and still deciding what he wants to do, but he currently oversees much of the accounts work, as well as turning his hand to some purchasing and generally learning about other areas of the business. Theo had his first boiler suit to wear around the yard when he was 6 and knows all about the businesses. He mucks in and when needed will make up pallets and jump on the forklift. At 6ft 4 tall he needs feeding at regular intervals and in his spare time he likes to go to the gym and car shows with his girlfriend Maddie. He and Maddie are very passionate about their cars and can regularly be found romantically washing them together! Theo has a very dry sense of humour and is master of delivering one liners!
Favourite place in the world and place you would like to go? Like his father – his bed! Dubai, he loves all supercars.
If you could be any animal what would you be? My dog Ruby
What is your pet peeve? My Mother asking stupid questions – also like his father!
What was the best meal you’ve ever had? At a restaurant near here, which is sadly now closed, it had the best and biggest cheese board I’ve ever seen in my life!
Favourite Quote? “Real Men are what their Mothers made them.” – He couldn’t think of one so Kim found him one!!!!
Elliot Jones
Our newest member of staff Elliot has been with us for about 8 months and is now very capable and competent at fitting! He is very funny and super laid back, but gets the job done. We love having him as part of the team. He willingly turns his hand to most things. Day to day when he’s here, he puts together all the days dispatches, running back and forth on the fork lift and operating the machinery, precutting mats for installations. He also has a dead pan humour, he and Theo together have great lines of delivery.
Favourite place in the world and place you would like to go? Weymouth. County Cork.
If you could be any animal what would you be? A pidgeon, because I can scrounge bread and crap everywhere! Look out Elliot, Steve shoots pidgeons.
What is your pet peeve? When I offer someone a cup of tea and they say YES!!!
What was the best meal you’ve ever had? Indian – but a plain rice, plain naan and a Korma – I think we need to educate Elliot on curries
Favourite Quote? Life moves pretty fast. You don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it!
Jamie Griffiths
Jamie has grown with us and is now Tom’s opposite as Business Development Manager for East Anglian Seals, however, he crosses over and helps Horsemat out when we need it. He is a very cheeky chap and together with Tom, they make a very good team. Although quieter about it than Tom, he is normally behind many of the practical jokes. Jamie likes to be very organized and everything to be just so! He was an avid football player and actually very good, playing for Plymouth and Ipswich in his prime! However, he has reluctantly retired this year, after finding that he just doesn’t bounce back from injuries the way he used to!
He has a gorgeous little boy called Harvey and FINALLY married Amber.
Favourite place in the world and place you would like to go? At my Mum’s dinner table! New York at Christmas.
If you could be any animal what would you be? A whale, because they constantly eat and go wherever they want
What is your pet peeve? When the tea, coffee & sugar pot lids don’t line up the same & the list goes on…..
We told you he liked to be organized!
What was the best meal you’ve ever had? Mum’s roast dinner win’s every day of the week
Favourite Quote? There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
Customer Service
All our team are key in providing the fantastic customer service we do! If you have any questions about of our products please get in contact and speak to one of us or head over to contact us.
[email protected] | 01787 886929