Middledale Foods, a specialist ingredients supplier to the food manufacturing sector, has been shortlisted for The Blick Rothenberg Mid-Market Growth Business of the Year Award at the 2026 Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards. The Wiltshire firm was among the finalists announced in July 2026, with winners to be revealed at Grosvenor House, London, on 10 November 2026.
For 30 years the business has worked as an ingredients partner to food manufacturers, sourcing dairy, egg, organic and plant-based ingredients and backing that up with technical expertise and supply chain support. Trading in a volatile commodities market, it helps customers keep supply moving, control costs and respond to shifting consumer demand without compromising quality or service, and a rapid growth record has earned it a place among the mid-market growth finalists.
Growth well ahead of plan
The company reports record turnover of £31.2m in its latest financial year, against a plan of £24.8m, together with 12% volume growth and EBITDA of around £1.034m. Over the last three years, it says, turnover rose from £14.5m to £31.2m and profit before tax climbed from £444k to £1.065m, with margins strengthening while the business invested in people, systems and infrastructure.
Customer measures point the same way. According to the business, its customer satisfaction score reached 88% in 2025, customer numbers grew from 108 to 137, and retained customers rose from 85 to 99, results it presents as proof it can win new accounts while keeping hold of existing ones.
Partnership rather than transactions
Middledale attributes this performance to a partnership-led model. Instead of behaving as a transactional supplier, the company positions itself as an extension of its customers’ and manufacturing partners’ operations, blending market insight with technical and commercial know-how to shape tailored solutions. By lining up with customers and suppliers on values, strategy and long-term goals, it aims to add value across the supply chain and help businesses cope with increasingly complex market conditions. Innovation runs through the approach, the business says, helping customers take new concepts to market quickly while opening up opportunities for manufacturing partners, and pairing firm governance and commercial discipline with the agility to react to supply disruption.
Accreditation and ambition
Middledale reports that it has held BRC Grade A accreditation since 2015, recorded zero non-conformances across its last two BRC audits, and regained Organic accreditation in 2026, again with zero non-conformances. Its website lists BRCGS and Organic Food Federation accreditation alongside Sedex membership, with a range spanning dairy, egg, organic, plant-based and functional powder ingredients. Companies House records show the company was incorporated on 22 April 1996 and remains active, registered in Chippenham, Wiltshire.
Under Managing Director Sarah Summers, the business is targeting £52m turnover within five years through continued investment in innovation, partnerships and people. Whether that trajectory carries off the trophy will be settled when the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards winners are named in November.
