Keltic Seafare nets HSBC deal to grow its exports

By PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 17/01/2013 00:00

A SCOTS shellfish company that supplies Michelin-starred restaurants in London has sealed a ­financing deal with banking giant HSBC to drive its sales in France, Hong Kong and Spain.

Dingwall-based Keltic Seafare yesterday unveiled the £750,000 funding package and said it would use the banking giant’s international connections to help grow its exports.

The firm, which was founded in 1992 and now employs 44 staff, already nets about 55 per cent of its £6.3 million turnover from overseas markets.

Keltic Seafare supplies crabs, langoustines, lobsters and scallops to restaurants in London including those run by Chris and Jeff Galvin, who recently opened the Pompadour eatery at the Caledonian Waldorf Astoria hotel in Edinburgh.

Other London restaurants using its seafood include Pétrus and the Savoy Grill.

Ben Murray, Keltic Seafare’s managing director, said: “We take real pride in supplying fresh and sustainable seafood to some of London’s top chefs and the finest restaurants in the world.

“As well as rapid domestic growth, we have experienced an increase in trade opportunities with new overseas markets and 
I was looking for a banking partner with a strong global presence that could provide us with the necessary market knowledge, support and guidance.”