Wilkin & Sons

Wilkin & Sons has been part of the landscape and community of Tiptree for generations.

The Wilkin family has farmed at Tiptree in Essex since 1757, with Arthur Charles Wilkin establishing the Britannia Fruit Preserving Company in 1885 after recognising the opportunity to turn locally grown fruit into high-quality preserves. The business became Wilkin & Sons in 1905 and, more than 140 years after those first preserves were made, Tiptree remains at the heart of the organisation.

Today, Wilkin & Sons is a circa £55m turnover Group encompassing a diverse portfolio of businesses.

At its heart is Tiptree, its internationally recognised preserves brand, enjoyed in more than 70 countries and available through fine retailers, premium hotels and airlines. The Group also includes its farming operations, Thursday Cottage preserves, Cole's Puddings, Tiptree Patisserie, a network of Tiptree tea rooms, an own-label manufacturing business and a substantial property portfolio.

The farming business has benefited from considerable investment over recent years and is performing strongly. Tiptree Patisserie has developed successful customer partnerships with further potential for growth, while the tea rooms have extended the Tiptree name and experience beyond the products themselves.

Across the Group, there is an opportunity to build on the strength of these businesses and determine where future investment and growth can create the greatest long-term value.