Robert Servini
Businessman

Robert was born in Aberdare in 1942 the son of James and Maria Servini. Robert’s father was the eldest of nine children; James did well at school, winning a scholarship to Oxford. However, he eventually returned to Wales to work in the family business. James and Maria had six children: Robert had two brothers and three sisters. Robert’s elder brother Adrian, and younger brother Gabriel both attended ABGS.

After attending St Margaret’s primary school Robert entered ABGS in 1954. He was a keen rugby player and can be seen in some of the team photographs on this website. He was a member of the 1st XV in three consecutive seasons: 1958-59, 59-60 and 60-61. He left the Grammar School after ‘A’ levels in French and Italian to join the family business - “Servini’s Cafe” in Cardiff Street, Aberdare.

Later, during the period 1965-1987, he developed a food manufacturing business located at Cwmbach, based on cooked chickens, and called Ready Roasted Chickens. During this period, along with his business partner, his brother Gabriel, the business expanded significantly. Firstly they added the old Western Welsh garages on the Gadlys converting the site to a food manufacturing unit producing a wide variety of value added products. Later the business was consolidated at Trecynon in what used to be the Girling factory. The brothers successfully sold the business in 1987.

Following the acquisition of the business in 1987 by Northern Foods, Robert remained as Managing Director of the Aberdare operation, until the business was sold to Grampian, a Scottish plc, in 1995 when he left to pursue other interests.

From 1995 to 2007 Robert invested in Ethnic Cuisine Ltd as a shareholder and joined the Board as Non-Executive Chairman. The company produced chilled ready meals for Sainsbury’s supermarkets and were located in Swansea. This business was sold to Northern Foods in 2007.

During his working life Robert has held various other posts: Chairman - Aberdare College; Non-Exececutive Director, North Glamorgan NHS Trust; and Chairman of Merthyr & Cynon Groundwork Trust (Cynon Valley Branch). He is currently a director of Kealth Foods Ltd, Hirwaun, and of Mobile Computing Systems Ltd, Swansea.

Robert married an Aberdare girl, Glenys Richards, in 1966. They lived in The Grove near Foundry Town, where they brought up their sons, James and Nicholas. Robert, now a grandfather to four children, continues to live in Aberdare. In his spare time he plays golf, at Cardiff and Porthcawl, and enjoys gardening. He has maintained his interest in rugby, and is a supporter of the Cardiff Blues.