Winners were named across a wide range of categories at FPC Fresh Awards 2024
Gary Marshall and New Covent Garden Market (NCGM) have been honoured for their years of service to the UK fresh produce industry at the FPC Fresh Awards 2024.
Marshall, managing director of Bevington Salads and chairman of the Covent Garden Tenants’ Association (CGTA), received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the event in London on 27 September.
NCGM received a special 50-Year Anniversary Award marking a half century since the market’s relocation to Nine Elms, since when it has evolved into a world-renowned wholesale market.
‘Produce industry hero’
Marshall has been a key figure in the fresh produce industry for over four decades. A cornerstone of NCGM, he has spent the last 45 years making significant contributions to London’s wholesale and retail market scenes.
For the past 37 years, Marshall has been the driving force behind Bevington Salads, guiding the company to become one of the market’s leading wholesalers. His 14-year tenure as chairman of the CGTA has also seen him play a pivotal role in shaping NCGM’s future.
Judges said: “Whether serving as a collaborator, facilitator, or innovator, Gary has dedicated his working life to the wholesale industry in the UK, making numerous positive contributions to both the sector as well as various charitable causes. Gary is a true produce industry hero. He is richly deserving of this prestigious award for his lifetime achievements to date.”
And of the achievements of the wider market, judges said: “This iconic market stands as a cornerstone of the UK’s fresh produce industry, supplying London and the nation with the finest fruit, vegetables, flowers, and more with efficiency and expertise – all the while keeping sustainability and quality proudly at its core.
“Throughout the past five decades at its current site, NCGM has continued to adapt, innovate, and grow to remain at the top of its game. With exciting redevelopment plans well underway, the next 50 years are set to be just as vibrant and successful.”
Industry excellence honoured
The FPC Fresh Awards crowned winners across a wide range of categories from business and individual excellence to suppliers and retailers.
One of the centrepiece awards, Fresh Produce Business of the Year, went to BerryWorld, with judges recognising the soft-fruit supplier’s future-focused and sustainability-driven agenda, as well as its work in pioneering collaboration and innovation, and expanding the berry category.
BerryWorld was also named UK Grower of the Year in the fruit and veg category, with Double H Nurseries collecting the equivalent gong in the floral and plants section.
In addition, the berry supplier won the Sustainability Excellence Ethical Award, for its project supporting its female workforce in South Africa to overcome taboos and gain access to sanitary aid during their menstrual cycle.
Among retailers, Lidl, Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury’s and M&S all picked up awards.
The full list of winners is:
Overall Awards
Fresh Produce Business of the Year: BerryWorld
UK Grower of the Year - Fruit & Veg: BerryWorld Group in partnership with Emery Soft Fruits
UK Grower of the Year - Floral & Plants: Double H Nurseries
Individual Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award: Gary Marshall
Rising Star of the Year: Larissa Keyte (DPS)
Manager of the Year: Isla Haslam (Driscoll’s)
Special Awards
50-Year Anniversary Award: New Covent Garden Market
150-Year Anniversary Award: Fresca Group
Supplier Awards
Supermarket Fruit & Veg Supplier of the Year: Blue Skies
Foodservice Supplier of the Year: Woods Foodservice
Wholesale Fruit & Veg Supplier of the Year: Henderson Wholesale
Wholesale Floral/Plant Supplier of the Year: Opperman Plants
Supermarket Floral/Plant Supplier of the Year: MM Flowers
International Supplier of the Year: Euro Fruits
Retail Awards
Multiple Fruit & Veg Retailer of the Year: Lidl
Convenience Retailer of the Year: Co-op
Online Floral Retailer of the Year: M&S
Online Fruit & Veg Retailer of the Year: Tesco
Multiple Floral Retailer of the Year: Sainsbury’s
Business Awards
Best Place to Work: Aldi
Ethical Award: BerryWorld
Supply Chain Award: Albert Bartlett
Climate Award: SoilPoint Humic
Agritech Excellence Award: HarvestEye
Best Marketing Campaign: Delifresh
Technology Champion of the Year: Hall Hunter Partnership
Team of the Year: Worldwide Fruit’s Avocado Team
HR Initiative of the Year: AMFRESH Group UK
Business Service Partner Award: PML Seafrigo
