Dalgety Tea Wins Thames Business Gateway Award 2007

Dalgety Tea and Herbs from Sydenham in London has had a year to remember, with its highest ever profits, global recognition and a prestigious award - presented by none other than Esther Rantzen.

Founder Mark Dalgety attended the Thames Business Gateway Awards at the O2 arena to be awarded the International Business award for international success – sponsored by UK Trade & Investment.

Initially Mark approached UKTI to get advice about where he should be exporting and since then he has taken advantage of Passport to Export which has helped him make trade visits overseas, improve his marketing and meet valuable contacts.

“UKTI have been a great help in providing me with options, a strategy and information about vibrant economies,” said Mark. “I was highly commended in the same category three years ago and was determined to take the main award this time!”

Indeed, by using several government services through UK Trade & Investment he has been able to take the company into the American, German, African and European marketplaces. Dalgety Tea is even available in China – a bit like selling ice to the Eskimos!

It has been a steady ascendency for Mark who founded the company back in 1995. His first business decision was to use the £1000 limit on his credit card to purchase a consignment of Creassie tea from his native Caribbean (Mark grew up in Guyana).

He broke the batch up into 16,000 one ounce packs and sold them in the UK for 50p each, grossing a cool £8,000 from his initial investment.

Since then the company has developed new flavours for certain markets and grown to the tune of 1000 per cent every year.

Mark explains the reasons for his success. “Unlike the big corporate companies we only use natural ingredients, without any chemicals, while also making the tea affordable,” he said. “We give the farmers in Kenya and the Caribbean more money and in return we get a better quality product.”

Dalgety Tea is extremely keen on maintaining links with its roots and can often be seen at the Notting Hill Carnival – after all, it has a good reason to celebrate.