Vincent Scully: A Journey Through Fragrance, Friendship, and Fortunate Turns
From the bustling backstreets of Manchester to the vibrant skyline of Singapore, Vincent Scully’s journey through the Flavour and Fragrance industry has been nothing short of remarkable.
Now the Purchasing Manager at Lionel Hitchen, Vincent reflects on a career that spans decades, rich in experiences, shaped by resilience, and grounded in genuine connection especially with the Hitchen family.
“I started in 1979,” he begins, smiling at the idea that many of us weren’t even born then. Vincent’s career began unintentionally, filling in for two weeks at Duckworth and Bevan, a flavour company where his sister worked. Those two weeks turned into 17 years. Starting out packing jerry cans and shipping orders, he gradually moved into production, quality control, warehousing, and eventually purchasing.
His path was influenced early by a mentor, David Page, who believed in empowering people through training. Vincent became his “flag bearer” for a philosophy that saw staff rotate through roles to learn and grow. That mindset of continuous development stayed with him, helping him transition from the factory floor to managing millions in purchasing budgets.
After his time at Duckworth and Bevan, Vincent moved south with his family for a new opportunity. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do leaving. But it was the right thing.” His new roles included both buying and selling raw materials for the fragrance and flavour sector. But when redundancy came unexpectedly a week before Christmas 2007, it opened a new door.
“That’s when Lionel Hitchen came into my life,” he says. “And truthfully, Redundancy was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
Even before he officially joined, the warmth and energy of the company were clear. “I got a call from Alastair ‘What do you know about IFEAT?’ he asked. Next thing I knew, I was headed to Canada for a conference, and I hadn’t even started yet!” It was a bold and exciting beginning to what would become a defining chapter in his professional life.
But what stands out most to Vincent isn’t the globe-trotting or major projects it’s the people.
He speaks movingly about the care and compassion shown by the Hitchen family, especially during challenging moments. When his mother had a stroke and he was due to travel to India for work, he was told, “If Vince needs to get home, get him home. I don’t care what it costs.” The words came from Alison Barnes, then Director, and they left a lasting impression.
“It wasn’t a grand gesture, but it was everything. It meant I didn’t have to worry. I knew the company had my back.”
That personal touch extended in other ways too from Alastair calling to check in during Vincent’s illness to surprise birthday celebrations at work. “They genuinely care. That’s rare.” And speaking of unforgettable moments, Vincent’s 50th birthday brought another surprise this time from his wife. “She organised a surprise party without me knowing. I had a meeting with Peter that day, and he said he needed to get someone. He walked me out of the office and, bam, everyone was there. I’m never lost for words, but I was completely gobsmacked. It was such a special moment.”
When asked about his favourite memory while travelling, Vincent lights up. He describes a moment during an IFEAT conference in Singapore, standing at the top of the iconic Marina Bay Sands hotel, drink in hand, gazing over the glittering skyline.“I just thought, what would my dad think? Standing here in Singapore, part of something global. It was one of those moments where you stop and think- how the hell did I get here?”
Vincent has indeed seen the world with Lionel Hitchen India, Indonesia, Thailand, Dubai, America, Europe and taken great pride in representing the company internationally.
Beyond business, he also contributed to the wider industry as Chairman of the British Essential Oils Association, a role he held (unofficially) longer than most. “I did it during COVID so with my first two years it became six years in total. And Lionel Hitchen supported me every step of the way.”
Asked what advice he would give his younger self, Vincent pauses. “Stick with it. Sometimes things go wrong, but if you do the right thing, work hard, and be open to change, life has a funny way of working out.”
His career hasn’t just been a series of jobs. It’s a tapestry of stories, people, learning, and heart. He’s weathered economic downturns, corporate shakeups, and personal challenges but what’s stayed constant is his belief in relationships and the value of good people.
As he prepares to hand over knowledge to the next generation of purchasing professionals, Vincent remains a living testament to the impact of loyalty, kindness, and embracing opportunity when it knocks especially when that knock comes with a plane ticket to Canada before your first day on the job.
From humble beginnings to global conferences, Vincent’s story reminds us that careers are not built overnight. They’re shaped by moments, mentors, bumps in the road, happiness, disappointment’s, resilience and, sometimes, by the incredible support of a family-run company that truly cares.
