FPC’s annual London awards ceremony celebrates excellence across innovation, teamwork and sustainability 

The annual event was held on the 25 September to celebrate industry excellence in 2026

The annual event was held on the 25 September to celebrate industry excellence in 2026

Image: FPC

Graham Young, Hall Hunter Partnership and Delifresh were among the big winners at the Fresh Produce Consortium’s (FPC) annual London awards ceremony. 

Unfolding at the Grosvenor House Hotel on 25 September, the event celebrated excellence throughout the fresh produce supply chain, from emerging talent to industry leaders.

Hosted by TV presenter Chris Bavin, the awards recognised excellence across sustainability, innovation, agri-tech and teamwork.

Graham Young was recognised for over 35 years of leadership and service to the industry with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Having spent 11 years at Barfoots, Young also helped transform UK produce supplier Greencell into what is now Westfalia Fruit UK, from which he has since retired from his role as chief operations executive. 

The award highlighted Young’s role in “shap[ing] companies, categories, customer relationships and people,” and “leaving a legacy that will continue to influence the fresh produce industry for years to come”.

Family-run berry growers Hall Hunter Partnership were the recipients of the Fresh Produce Business of The Year award. 

The company, which celebrated its 60th anniversary in May this year, is the UK’s biggest blueberry producer, and produces 10,000 tonnes of berries each year.

The B Corp certified company has a 1,500 strong workforce, with an 87 per cent employee engagement score and 75 per cent seasonal worker return rate. 

Other highlights of the evening included: 

  • Ruby Furniss of Dole and Pramodhya “Pramo” Loku Gamage of PML Seafrigo were the joint recipients of the Rising Star of the Year award

  • Delifresh received the award for Technology Champion of the Year for the integration of AI, automation and digital quality management within its foodservice operation

  • Best Marketing Campaign went to Marks & Spencer for its Farm to FoodhalI television campaign featuring Tom Kerridge 

  • Mohamed Nafide of Delassus Group was recognised as Manager of The Year 

  • The 52-person strong team at fresh-cut and prepared fruit company PrepWorld received the Team of The Year award  

  • Worldwide Fruit won the Climate Champion of the Year award for its Model Farm approaching to using working orchards to assess regenerative practices, measure progress and share data across its grower network 

UK Growers of the Year went to UK horticultural business Newey, while the International Supplier of the Year award went to berry company Driscoll’s, whose collaborative grower network spans 22 countries. 

A new category for 2026, Sidley-based local business Carrolls Greengrocers swept up the Independent Retailer of the Year award. The greengrocer offers deliveries for elderly and less mobile customers and a food voucher scheme. 

Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the FPC, praised the winners for “helping to shape the future of our industry and setting an example for others to follow.”

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