Karen McQuade, The UK Foodhall Ltd

While working as a Sales Manager at a fresh meat trading company, Karen decided to improve school dinners by developing and launching a healthy chicken product for school children. This led to her launching The UK Foodhall in May 2007, raising the start up funds single-handedly. The company produces and delivers healthy, British-sourced food and is now the biggest supplier of school food in the country, delivering to 10,000 schools. 
 It is the first food service company in the UK to be awarded the Red Tractor independent mark of quality that guarantees high standards of food safety and hygiene, animal welfare and environmental protection. Winner of the 2009 Start-Ups Stars Awards.