MANY Herefordians will tell you that Weston’s cider is great, and it seems that the UK Government agrees.

The Much Marcle company has been signed up to front a national advertising campaign for the Government's ‘Business is GREAT’ initiative.

Weston’s Cider’s rapid rise from family business to a cider powerhouse that exports to more than 40 countries has seen both the company and managing director Helen Thomas singled out for recognition in recent years.

And the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills sees the growth of Weston’s as a model for small businesses who are looking to expand and export.

The secret to its success, Ms Thomas said, isn’t their key fruit ingredient.

“Whenever I’m asked, people seemed surprised when I say the most important ingredient isn’t actually our apples,” she added.

“While apples are of course vitally important, for me the key ingredient is our staff.

“This approach originated with our founder and included a hogshead in the cider house for the farm workers to fill their wooden ‘costrels’ to literally share the fruits of their labour, and it’s a value that we continue to hold."

The Much Marcle mill has been making cider and perry since 1880.

And when Ms Thomas – Henry Weston’s great-granddaughter – took over the family business in 1996, the company began working with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

With Government support the company has grown to include a large staff, with HR and marketing departments, and the Weston’s Academy – a training and development plan that reaches employees across the board.

Ms Thomas said: “We have been in business for 130 years but we are only a little way on our journey.

“We’re all very passionate about what we do and how we do it, and the support we’ve had from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has enabled us to expand in the ways that we want to, and develop our passions.”

The Business is GREAT campaign aims to build confidence in small businesses across the country, and match their potential for success with the services that can help them grow, hire, lead and export.

To find out more about how you can grow your business today visit www.greatbusiness.gov.uk.