In 1847, Robin's great, great, uncle set up A. Mathews and Skailes: a London-based company that supplied cheese, eggs, butter and other provisions.
During the 1920s, Robin's grandfather, Frank, joined the family business. In 1941, wartime regulations required Frank Skailes to operate the cheese-making side of the business through a separate company. So Somerset Creameries was born - a Somerset-based company that also operated a Stilton dairy in Melton Mowbray.
In 1949 Somerset Creameries acquired Cropwell Bishop Creamery and expanded its product range to include cheeses such as Cheddar, Red Leicester and Double Gloucester.
In 1973, Frank Skailes sold A. Mathews and Skailes, moved Somerset Creameries to Cropwell Bishop and closed down its West Country operations.
In 1981, brothers, David and Ian Skailes, took the helm from their father, A few years later they sold North Street Dairy in Melton Mowbray and invested the funds into Cropwell Bishop to make it the world-class dairy it is today.
In 2005 Somerset Creameries became known as Cropwell Bishop Creamery, and in 2006 Ian’s son, Robin, joined the business and now manages the running of the creamery.