Our History

The history of Paramount 21 Ltd is a story of determination and faith in the future. In 1988 a seafood processing business, owned by Ali Hannaford’s father, was bought by Hillsdown Holdings. Five months later they closed it - putting all the staff out of work, including a 27-year-old Ali.

Ali was determined to bring the business back to life and with just £3500, some second-hand machinery and the loyalty of 16 of the former staff, that’s exactly what she did. The company quickly moved on from packing Prawns into developing a range of fantastic Fishcakes and value added seafood products, such as Blanchbait and Whitebait, specifically for the catering industry.

Just two years after the company was founded, Paramount won its first British Frozen Food Federation award - and has gone on to win many more as the range of products has expanded. When launching the company Ali had a vision of providing the foodservice industry with innovative, quality products at the right price. The company has been true to this vision and concentrates on supplying unique products for the caterer, many of them hand-finished and all conspicuous for their style and flair.

Paramount has quickly made its name by being innovative and flexible - and providing an excellent service. It wasn’t long before Paramount broke into the national pub, restaurant and hotel markets where competition is fierce and exciting new products appeared thick and fast. Within a few years Paramount has grown to become a major name in seafood and a respected brand in the foodservice industry.

The team has grown to employ 59 members of staff and the new Heathfield factory has just successfully completed its £1 million factory extension following support and grant funding from the European Fisheries Fund. “This will house a new frying line which will enable us to extend our range of added value seafood products such as Fishcakes, Goujons, and West Country Whitebait Fillets.” MD Ali Hannaford

Over the last few months the company has been shortlisted for a EEF Future Manufacturing Award, become an Area Finalist for the HSBC 2010 Business Thinking Awards and a Finalist in the West Country 2010 Business Challenge Award.