A Highland salmon company has beaten off tough UK competition to become one of six finalists in the export category of the prestigious International Business Awards.

Based in Sutherland in the north of Scotland, salmon farmers Loch Duart Ltd will find out their fate this Monday (3rd December) when the winner will be announced by the Duke of York at a ceremony in the Landmark Hotel in London.

The competition is organised by Trade Partners UK in association with Export Times and recognises innovation, export and marketing expertise and progressive thinking across all industries.

Sales director of Loch Duart Ltd, Andrew Bing said: "This accolade is a wonderful endorsement of Loch Duart's vision. Our environmental and welfare policies have led us into new markets, and the quality of our salmon has created great demand.

"However this is not all our work. Relationships with other Scottish companies like Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd have strengthened our position. We have targeted customers who aim to reduce exploitation of fragile wild stocks by buying our salmon, that tastes as good as its wild counterparts."

This year has seen the company go from strength to strength including a feature on Rick Stein's Seafood Lovers Guide where TV chef and restaurateur described the produce as "the nearest I have seen to wild salmon."

This commitment to quality and environmental welfare has won the company a contract to supply BA's first class flights with salmon. They also provided fish for the first of Concorde's renewed flights to New York.

Loch Duart Ltd was established in 1999 and has built new markets over the past three years with support from the local enterprise company, Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise (CASE).

Chief executive of CASE Carroll Buxton said: "We are delighted that the Highlands and Islands are to be represented in this prestigious competition and this is the first time that a local company has reached this stage of the proceedings.

The finalists are judged on a wide range of criteria, including quality, export achievements, marketing and development plans. Loch Duart Ltd has established strong business and marketing partnerships that contribute to their increasing success and deserve international recognition for their efforts.

Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise