A YOUNG businesswoman from North Yorkshire has been shortlisted for a national award that recognises outstanding contributions by family business talent.

Jennifer Kerfoot, 30, has risen quickly through the ranks at her family’s Northallerton-based Kerfoot Group – a provider of specialist oils to the food, cosmetics and technical industries – where she is commercial director of the multi-million pound packed oils division and group people director.

Having achieved significant success in both roles, she is one of six candidates selected for the coveted Young Gun title in the 2012 Red Ribbon Awards.

Held by Family Business Place – a resource developed by experts for the family business community – the award specifically recognises “a talented next generation member who has celebrated incredible achievements beyond their peers”.

After gaining a degree in management and Spanish from St Andrews University, she established her business credentials with a career in finance based in London.

She joined The Kerfoot Group in 2009 and was promoted to her current roles in 2011.

As group people director she is responsible for the welfare of 100 employees across the company, which has its headquarters in Northallerton, three major sites in Goole and a base in the Republic of Moldova.

The packed oils division imports, stores, blends and packages more than 20 different oils. Miss Kerfoot’s remit is to develop the company’s activities in the UK and European food and technical oils industries.

She spends much of her time working with major clients and travelling extensively to source new oil suppliers.

Under her leadership, this part of the group’s business is now worth £40m and has up to 300 customers, including some of Europe’s bestknown food, technical and animal feed manufacturers.

She said: “It was always one of my business goals to return to Yorkshire and I have been able to bring the knowledge and skills that I have developed throughout my career back into the family business. This is not only beneficial in terms of contributing fresh ideas but it also meant that I joined the organisation as an established professional in my own right.”

Founded in 1980 by her mother and father, the business now has a turnover of £84m. With both parents and her brother on the board of directors, Miss Kerfoot is a firm believer in family businesses which currently account for 45 per cent of UK GDP.

She said: “Values such as loyalty, trust and integrity are strongly held in a company like ours. Many of our employees have been with us for most of their working lives and the average time they have worked for the company is just over nine years.

“This does make a difference and as group people director, I actively encourage a ‘flat hierarchy’ and open communication, which engenders strong performance and efficiency throughout the organisation.”

David Kerfoot, her father, company founder and chief executive, is not surprised about her nomination.

“Jennifer has had a huge impact on the business since she joined us three years ago and we have benefited greatly from her considerable business acumen, drive and enthusiasm,” he said.