Gary Marshall, Owner of New Covent Garden Market wholesaler Bevington Salads and Chairman of Covent Garden Tenants Association, was tonight [September 27] given the Lifetime Achievement Award at the FPC Fresh Awards 2024.

Presented by award sponsor Westfalia Fruit, at a glittering ceremony at Grosvenor House on Park Lane, the award recognises Gary’s achievements during a lifelong career in fruit and vegetable wholesale, as well as his wider contribution to his market and the fresh produce industry.

“I am incredibly proud to receive this award and would like to thank the judging panel and the FPC for the recognition,” Gary said. “I know this is the 20th anniversary of the formation of this awards ceremony and some of the iconic names in this great industry have preceded me. It’s very humbling to see my name added to that list and as I am only the second person to have spent their entire career in the wholesale markets to get this award, it is especially pleasing that my sector has been recognised.”

Gary receives his award last Friday night

The third generation of his family in the business, Gary left school at 13 and followed his father and grandfather into the street market trade. He has since spent all of his working life as a major trader, character and influencer on London’s wholesale and retail market scenes and, for the last 45 of those years, he has been a successful fresh produce wholesaler and business owner at New Covent Garden.

He recalled: “On my first day working in New Covent Garden, in 1979, I was told in no uncertain terms that I was wasting my time joining this industry as the market was going to turned into a bus station! People have been telling me ever since that the wholesale markets are dying and that there is no future in my trade. But I’m still here and the wholesale markets are still going strong. We’re a crucial part of the British fresh produce supply chain. New Covent Garden Market is about to celebrate 50 years in its current location in Nine Elms and we’ve just announced an annual turnover of £880 million, which is a record.”

Gary’s business acumen, passion and dedication to the fresh produce trade has ensured that his business Bevington Salads continues to be a leader in a very competitive marketplace, serving independent retailers and catering firms across London and the South East with premium quality fresh fruit and salads.

While running a successful business, though, his unstinting commitment to New Covent Garden Market and its 2,500-strong tenant community is second to none. Having sat on the executive board of the Covent Garden Tenants Association for many years and also served as its deputy chairman, for the last 18 years, he has represented the tenants of the market as chairman of the CGTA.

Gary’s steadfast belief in wholesaling and New Covent Garden Market has been instrumental in driving the market through a major evolution, from being predominantly a supplier to the retail sector to becoming the major provider of fruit, vegetables and flowers to the restaurant and hospitality sectors across the South East of England.

“The nature of the business has changed; it had to,” said Gary. “But what continues to drive me on is the people I work alongside, their work ethic, their passion and commitment and above all, their friendship. I love the fantastic product that we receive from our supply partners and pass on to our customers and I love the fact that we’re supplying inherently healthy and nutritious food to the population of London and the South East. We all know how necessary that role is and while other parts of the supply chain play their role, wholesale market traders are able to access consumers that others just can’t reach.”

He has performed the role of leader of the tenants cause and his greatest achievement is perhaps to maintain a high degree of unity amongst members who compete robustly against each other every day; bringing together companies of all sizes, with different priorities, to defend and protect them and the market he holds so dear.

Both before and during his tenure as Chairman, he has also led the market’s incredible fund-raising efforts each year, organising a series of events and gatherings that between them have raised well in excess of £750,000 for the market’s chosen charities. It is not unreasonable to say that without his relentless desire and commitment, the vast majority of that charitable work would not have happened.

George Marshall, Gary and Deana Marshall and George's partner Misha Gallagher

Accepting the award, Gary paid tribute to his wife Deana: “I met Deana when I was 15 and without her raising our two sons and allowing me to commit to the business, I’m not sure any of this would have happened,” he said. “She has been incredibly supportive and understanding of my career. I think that goes for every wife or husband of a wholesaler – once you’re in it, you’re in it and you need the right partner by your side. There is no turning back and it can make life tough at times.

“I am one of the many who has accepted that, stuck with it and had an amazingly enjoyable career. I wouldn’t change anything – it’s been a wonderful ride and it's not finished yet!"

The judges commented:

“Whether serving as a collaborator, facilitator or innovator, Gary has dedicated his working life to the wholesale industry in the UK, making numerous positive contributions to the sector and also charitable causes. His remarkable unwavering commitment to New Covent Garden Market and its 200-stronjg tenant community, in his role as Chairman of Covent Garden Tenants Association for the past 18 years has been exceptional. Gary works tirelessly to drive forward the market he loves, while fighting the corner of its tenants, investing large amounts of time outside his long working hours and showing no limits to his energy and dedication, all the while running his own successful business.

“Gary is a true produce industry hero. He is richly deserving of this prestigious award for his lifetime achievements to date.”