When someone says ‘Business of the Year,’ a company that forages seaweed along the Cornish coast may not be the first thing that springs to mind. But it is exactly this unique and innovative approach that last night saw The Cornish Seaweed Company crowned Cornish Business of the Year at The Hub Awards 2015.

Speaking after the win, Tim van Berkel, who co-founded the company with business partner Caro Wawrick-Evans, said, “It was amazing to be nominated so to win this accolade is just brilliant. We were up against some great competition and to be recognised in this way is an honour.”

Held at the Falmouth Hotel on Thursday 26th November, The Hub Awards celebrate the best in Cornish business talent, and aim to shine a spotlight on the rising stars of the Cornish business scene.

Presenting the award, judges praised The Cornish Seaweed Company’s innovation and originality, and on their dual focus on both the longevity of their own business and their ethical responsibility towards sustainability of the Cornish coast.

“The Cornish Seaweed Company is a labour of love and born from a real passion for Cornwall, the environment and our product” added van Berkel. “This award is the icing on the cake for what has been an amazing year!”

The Cornish Seaweed Company harvest local, edible and environmentally sustainable seaweed from along the Cornish coast. Despite only being founded in 2012, the company has gone from strength to strength and their products are now stocked by major stores nationally, including Tesco.

Before establishing the company, both van Berkel and Warwick-Evans had previously worked in the environmental sustainability sector. Being the first business of its type in the UK, they felt they had a duty to preserve the environment that made it possible. They led by example when it came to industry standards of practice, both with the UK government and with foraging quotas.