Wholesale markets a dead end? No reason to pursue a career in fresh produce? Forty five years later, Gary Marshall certainly can tell a different story.
Friday night at the glitzy Grosvenor House on Park Lane, the owner of New Covent Garden Market’s Bevington Salads and Chairman of the Covent Garden Tenants Association was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the FPC Fresh Awards 2024 for his more than four decades of work.
Sponsor Westfalia Fruit helped present Marshall with the award, recognizing his achievements to produce and in his tireless work on the market.
“I am incredibly proud to receive this award and would like to thank the judging panel and the FPC for the recognition,” Gary said. “I know this is the 20th anniversary of the formation of this awards ceremony and some of the iconic names in this great industry have preceded me. It’s very humbling to see my name added to that list and as I am only the second person to have spent their entire career in the wholesale markets to get this award, it is especially pleasing that my sector has been recognised.”
Gary, a third-generation trader, left school at 13 and followed his father and grandfather into the street market trade. He was a major influencer on London’s wholesale and retail market scenes including the past 45 years at New Covent Garden.
“On my first day working in New Covent Garden, in 1979, I was told in no uncertain terms that I was wasting my time joining this industry as the market was going to turned into a bus station,” Marshall said. “People have been telling me ever since that the wholesale markets are dying and that there is no future in my trade. But I’m still here and the wholesale markets are still going strong. We’re a crucial part of the British fresh produce supply chain. New Covent Garden Market is about to celebrate 50 years in its current location in Nine Elms and we’ve just announced an annual turnover of £880 million, which is a record.”
Gary’s business, Bevington Salads, has been a fixture in a very competitive marketplace, serving independent retailers and catering firms across London and the South East with premium quality fresh fruit and salads. For the past 18 years, he has helped back colleagues and others as chairman of the CGTA.
“The nature of the business has changed; it had to,” Marshall said. “But what continues to drive me on is the people I work alongside, their work ethic, their passion and commitment and above all, their friendship. I love the fantastic product that we receive from our supply partners and pass on to our customers and I love the fact that we’re supplying inherently healthy and nutritious food to the population of London and the South East. We all know how necessary that role is and while other parts of the supply chain play their role, wholesale market traders are able to access consumers that others just can’t reach.”
In addition to Marshall’s award, New Covent Garden was given special recognition for its 50th anniversary of service since moving from Nine Elms.
Judges noted: “The iconic market stands as a cornerstone of the UK’s fresh produce industry, supplying London and the nation with the finest fruit, vegetables and flowers with efficiency and expertise, all the while keeping sustainability and quality proudly at its core. Throughout the past five decades…NCGM has continued to adapt, innovate and grow to remain at the top of its game. With exciting redevelopment plans, well under way, the next 50 years are set to be just as vibrant and successful.”
Berry World was honoured as Fresh Produce Business of the Year while Aldi earned the award for best place to work. To see the other award winners, log on to the FPC site here.
