Food firm celebrates 35 years in business

Award-winning South Devon-based food manufacturer Paramount 21 has been celebrating its 35th year with a new chairman.
Josh Hannaford started working for Newton Abbot-based Paramount 15 years ago as the buyer and was promoted to purchasing director in 2014.
During his time as a director, has Josh has been at the forefront of Paramount’s environmental and sustainability agenda, from encouraging the use of sustainably sourced seafood across the range to the removal of black plastic from the business.
Josh has also championed Paramount becoming an accredited Living Wage Foundation employer, the voluntary wage rate designed to go further than the government minimum to meet the true cost of living. He takes the reins from the previous chairman and founder of Paramount, Ali Hannaford, who started the business from scratch in 1988. She said: “I am positive that Josh will ensure Paramount is well positioned to continue to grow in this fast-paced and challenging world.”
Josh added: “I’m honoured to take on the role of chairman of Paramount. We have a great team here who really care about making great food! I want to say a big thank you to Ali for all her guidance and support, and I am excited to help shape the direction of our business for the future, continuing to build upon Paramount’s already strong foundations.”
Managing director Jon Phillips said: “On behalf of everyone associated with Paramount now and over the past 35 years I would like to thank Ali for having the vision, passion and determination to lead Paramount. There have been some challenges along the way but it has always been fun and Paramount is a great place to work. We are well placed to be successful in the future and I look forward to working with Josh to build on the past and explore new ways to embrace the future and deliver success for our customers, team and suppliers.”
Founded in September 1988 and based on the Heathfield industrial estate, Paramount remains a family-owned business to this day, and specialises in manufacturing top quality frozen seafood, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free products for today’s fast paced global food industry.