About Hilary
Hilary Shenton has developed a thriving business from an initial fascination with alpacas, which has now become her passion.
Her interest in alpacas began in 1997, when a friend introduced her to these endearing creatures. It was an opportune introduction, as Hilary was looking for a complete lifestyle change. She had been running her own highly successful recruitment company in London for 25 years, but the countryside beckoned and she fell in love with alpacas. But it is typical of Hilary's approach to life that it was over a year later before she bought her first alpacas. During that year she did as much research as possible, learning about alpacas, their welfare and care as well as the more practical aspects of whether she could create a viable business.
A brief history - Her career spans 12 years and includes:
Set up Zarza Alpacas in Oxfordshire, England
Qualified as a British Alpaca Society Judge
Won 'Best Small Exporter'Award in the Midlands UK Trade and Investment Awards for Export
Accredited breeder with the Alpaca Breeders Fibre School in Peru - one of only three British breeders
Launched Zarza's alpaca products
Featured in Country Living magazine 'Playing the Stock Market'
Featured on BBC TV Herefordshire in a programme which followed Zarza through the seasons as part of the focus on farming businesses
Set up Zarza Italia - in southern Italy and moves Zarza UK to Ashton Lane Alpacas in Wiltshire, specializing in suris.
Retired from Judging
Expands suri herd at Moonsbrook Alpacas in West Sussex
BAS National Show in England - Hilary's suris win prizes!
See News & Events
Set up Zarza Alpaca Group in Italy leading a group of five breeders in Tuscany, Umbria, Marché, San Marino and Basilicata See Zarza Alpaca Group
