Terry Murden: Deserved honour for jam master

SOME notable names were among the Queen’s Birthday Honours, including Standard Life chairman Gerry Grimstone, who received a knighthood for his public service to business and defence.

Jam entrepreneur Fraser Doherty. Picture: TSPL

Given his staunch opposition to independence, it will be interesting to know whether the head of one of Scotland’s biggest companies will be getting a congratulatory message from the First Minister.

Other recipients included Ewan Brown, a long-time servant of the financial services industry, who is also knighted, and Jim O’Neil who helped restore some honour to the battered banking sector by receiving an OBE. He stepped down as chief executive of UK Financial Investments, the institution overseeing the taxpayers’ stakes in the bailed out banks, including Lloyds and Royal Bank of Scotland.

But the standout award for me was the MBE for young jam maker Fraser Doherty who, at 24, is already a veteran of the food industry.

He started making jam at the age of 14 using his grandmother’s recipes. He said it was a way of making some extra pocket money. Now he’s a worldwide phenomenon and just about to start exporting his SuperJam to Japan.

Anyone who gets an opportunity to hear him speak should take advantage. He has a great story which he tells with humour and a level of maturity that would put many professional speakers on the circuit to shame.

Just where he ends up is anyone’s guess – probably back at the Palace when he becomes Sir Fraser – but for now he’s cherishing his award while modestly sharing the honour with the woman who made it possible. He plans to take his grandmother Susan with him when he is presented with it.

There could also be a surprise as he intends making a presentation of his own – giving a jar of his top-selling range to the Royal Family. «

Twitter: @TerryMurden1