Priti Patel, Member of Parliament for Witham, welcomed Ambassadors, High Commissioners and senior country representatives from Southeast Asian nations to Tiptree for a special visit to Wilkin & Sons, the iconic Essex business behind the world-famous Tiptree jam.
The visit was a proud showcase of Global Britain in Essex, bringing together international partners to celebrate one of Britain’s best-loved brands and one of Witham’s great local success stories. From its historic home in Tiptree, Wilkin & Sons has built an outstanding international reputation, exporting its beautiful jams, conserves, sauces and expanding product range to more than 70 countries around the world.
During the visit, guests were given a behind-the-scenes insight into the business, touring the farm, factory and museum, and seeing first-hand the skill, care and quality that goes into Tiptree’s world-renowned products. The visit also highlighted how businesses such as Wilkin & Sons are helping to put Tiptree, Essex and Britain on the global map. With strong local roots, a proud heritage and an international following, Wilkin & Sons demonstrates the very best of British enterprise, innovation and quality.
Discussions also focused on the importance of strengthening bilateral partnerships and trade cooperation with countries across Southeast Asia, and how outstanding local businesses can play a vital role in growing exports, creating opportunities and promoting British excellence overseas.
Following the visit, Priti said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Ambassadors, High Commissioners and senior country representatives from Southeast Asian nations to Wilkin & Sons, the makers of world-famous Tiptree jam, here in the Witham constituency.
“Here in Essex, we are incredibly proud to be home to businesses that are rooted in their local communities, Wilkin & Sons is a truly outstanding British business with an incredible history and a remarkable international following. Their beautiful jams, conserves, sauces and growing product range are exported to more than 70 countries, helping to put Tiptree, Essex and Britain on the global map.
“Our guests had the opportunity to visit the farm, factory, and museum, and to taste the wonderful fruits, jams, sandwiches and cakes which are all produced locally. It was a fantastic showcase of British quality, heritage, enterprise and excellence.
“As Shadow Foreign Secretary, I continue to work on behalf of the Conservative Party to strengthen our bilateral partnerships and trade cooperation with our friends across Southeast Asia. This visit showed how outstanding local businesses such as Wilkin & Sons are so important to the UK economy and have a vital role to play in growing trade and promoting British excellence across the world.
Chris Newenham, Managing Director of Wilkin & Sons said:
“We were honoured to welcome Ambassadors, High Commissioners and senior country representatives from Southeast Asian nations to Tiptree. It was a pleasure to show our esteemed visitors our farm and our factory.
"We are thankful to The Rt. Hon. Dame Priti Patel MP for the introduction. We have been exporting our products since we began jam making in 1885, as the first batch of jam was exported to Australia, meaning that we have been exporting for 141 years. International trade is extremely important to us and we welcome these wonderful opportunities to showcase our products to both current and future partners.”
A spokesman from the ASEAN London Committee said:
“It was a pleasure for the ASEAN Heads of Mission to visit Wilkin & Sons, one of Britain’s oldest and most respected family-owned food businesses and learn more about its proud heritage and commitment to quality. With Tiptree products already enjoyed in most Southeast Asian countries, the visit highlighted opportunities to further expand the company’s presence in the region and strengthen ASEAN-UK trade in high-quality food and agricultural products.
"We thank Dame Priti Patel MP and the management of Wilkin & Sons for their warm hospitality and the opportunity to learn more about their business.”
