Inspiration Award nominations

Fast Track members and FFB staff were asked to nominate individuals from the world of food & drink export who inspired them. There was a lot of warmth in the industry for many individuals - find out what people said.

• James Walker, Walker's Shortbread
  "James Walker once again.  No one in this country comes close I'm afraid.  Not even myself!"
  
• Tim Harrap, North Downs Dairy
  "I respect Tim Harrap of North Downs Dairy, who seems to get everywhere."
  
• Ben Policella, Dorset Cereals
  "Ben's enthusiasm for exporting is quite contagious. To have Ben on the circuit means you can freely bounce ideas off him. This exchange of ideas enables one to gauge their relevance and thereby validate one's approach to exporting - so important to maintaining successful commercial export activity whether back at the ranch or out on the high plains!"
  
• Bill Haywood, Dairy Crest
  "Pure admiration"
  
• Alan Jack, Tyrrells
  "Alan is the nicest man in export, always prepared to help fellow exporters and has taken the Tyrrells range to a number of new export markets since joining the company a year or so ago."
  
• Jamison Coombs, Natural Balance Foods
  "Natural Balance Foods are helping to keep the nation fit and healthy with their 'raw' food bars."
  
• Pete Banks, Marlow Foods
  "A smart guy who thinks very much in export terms."
  
• Terry Curran, Gourmet's Choice 
  "A dedicated, flexible, quick to react, knowledgeable and trustworthy exporter. Terry Curran is somebody who learns about new markets, their culture and business attitudes. Someone who understands that he has to adjust to these markets and offer the service they expect from him. Having understood this, Terry and with him Gourmet’s Choice is doing a terrific job in selling "Salmon so Scottish as if it wore a kilt” to the whole world."
  
• Simon Williams, Ty Nant
  "He finds the best routes to market, organises himself  well, works amazingly hard and is generous with advice."
  
• Tim Barlow, G Costa 
  A pioneering spirit, Tim has been the driving force in establishing Blue Dragon's export success in world markets including Scandinavia, Ireland and more recently Russia.  A real inspiration to other ethnic food suppliers!
  
• Francois Bucquet, Kettle Foods 
  "Francois built the export business from almost nil to a very substantial amount in just four years."
  
• Richard Reed, Innocent Drinks
  "The person who inspires me to be me."
  
• Paul Grant, Mackays
  "Paul's natural enthusiasm and hands on involvement is an example to all Managing Directors looking to establish or develop an export business. Mackays and Mrs Bridges are gaining profile in many export markets and it is good to see a relatively small Scottish company making such impressive progress."