08 March 2010, 21:00 PM
  • A Hawkshead preserves company has been awarded for its success in the overseas food market

The Hawkshead Relish Company won the Passport to Export Award for Cumbria, at the North West UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) awards ceremony last Wednesday (3rd March).

Since opening in 2000, Hawkshead Relish has developed rapidly from selling just six products in the UK, to now exporting over 100 handmade preserves around the world.

“This award is wonderful. It recognises our achievements as well as the sheer hard work, investment and determination we have duly needed to attain sales as far away as the Middle East and Taiwan,” said Maria Whitehead, co-owner.

“It is also fantastic for the speciality food industry because it assists in identifying the possibilities for community-based businesses, such as regional producers like ourselves,” added Mark Whitehead, co-owner.

The awards were aimed at North West companies that had gone through the UKTI Passport to Export programme.

The company signed up to the scheme –  which is designed to help new or inexperienced exporters boost foreign sales –  in 2007.

Since 2002, over 1,900 organisations have taken up the programme.