A new generation is helping to ensure that Hawkshead Relish continues to expand.

As the youngest daughter of Mark and Marie Whitehead, Izzy Whitehead has recently joined the family company as a marketing co-ordinator.

As someone who has grown up alongside the business, Miss Whitehead has seen it transition from being a small organisation into a multi-million pound empire.

She said: “Hawkshead Relish has indeed seen a huge transition over the last 15 years from its beginning in the back kitchen of what is now the destination shop in Hawkshead village square to now being known globally.

“Growing up, I have undoubtedly taken watching my Mum and Dad working so passionately at developing the business for granted; as it has quite simply been a part of life and really what our family life was based around.

“Everything from new products to acquiring more pans has been the family mealtime discussion and now I am delighted to be working in the business which has really given me a true perspective of its achievements.”

With the business continuing to thrive, Miss Whitehead is not just a part of a growing international business, but also one of Cumbria’s greatest success stories that was borne out of a disaster.

Mis Whitehead said: “I couldn’t imagine Hawkshead Relish coming from anywhere but Cumbria. It was the tragic event of Foot and Mouth in our county that was the catalyst that brought about Hawkshead Relish.

“Mum and Dad had to find an income when their ‘then business’ was devoid of visitors and I suppose with myself and my sister being small children it must have been very testing on them.”

Miss Whitehead is confident that the business will remain Cumbrian at its heart and her school friends and peers have also started to join the organisation.

She said: “Hawkshead Relish has definitely shaped our lives, and I suppose for my parents in a way that they never would have envisaged in the outset.

“I am not the only ‘offspring’ who has been attracted to Hawkshead Relish; some of my peers and school friends whose parents work here have also taken positions.

“I see the company growing and hope that Hawkshead Relish will continue to prosper and be an ongoing part of Hawkshead.”