Funding boost for dairy free and halal baby food manufacturer

A Nottingham-based manufacturer of dairy free and halal baby food products has secured funding to take the business to the next level.

Aisha, which was established in 2015, is owned by Mark Salter who identified a gap in the market for quality, healthy baby food using ‘Red tractor Assured’ halal meat from British farms.

He built the company to meet the demand for families with specific dietary needs which he has developed over the last three years and has since taken on two additional members of staff.

He has been successful in winning contracts with retailers including Asda, Boots, Tesco and Sainsburys.

Salter said: “We are delighted to have secured this funding through the Enterprise Guarantee Scheme which will help us to not only expand our range of products but at the same time create three new jobs. We will now be able to continue our exciting journey exporting our food worldwide. It’s so important, particularly at this time in our history, that the UK government and financial institutions are supporting SMEs to help our export trade. I couldn’t be happier with the service that our Barclay’s business account team have provided”.

Richard Taylor, relationship manager at Barclays, said: “Mark has seen some great early success in his business journey. This funding will enable him to take the business to the next level and I am delighted we have been able to support him.”