Peros

Two young(er) contract caterers with entrepreneurial urges were about to change career. Having worked together for five years successfully managing a number of major on-site contracts for blue-chip clients, they became convinced that there was a better way of offering beverage solutions to the foodservice sector. At the same time, fair and ethically traded goods were beginning to break into mainstream consumer consciousness, and businesses were starting to examine their own social responsibilities. Against this background, with a small business loan, Peter Goodey and James Roberts created Peros. Amongst their key objectives were a desire to supply Fairtrade products to customers wherever possible and an aspiration to form lasting partnerships between customers, employees and suppliers. The timing and the principles were spot-on and Peros quickly grew to become the largest independent distributor of Fairtrade to the foodservice sector in the UK. From small premises in Greenford, Middlesex, Peros now has two warehouses totalling nearly 60,000 square feet, and some 12,500 customers. After ten years of sustained growth Peros still operates with the same principles and is supported by many loyal customers. Peros’s passion for Fairtrade, ethical and sustainable products is as strong as ever and these continue to be offered, alongside complementary equipment and services, throughout the UK. The shopping list gives an indication of the quantities of these products Peros has distributed in those ten years. As a result of these activities Peros has been able to improve the lives of thousands of people in the developing world. Headline figures include a contribution of over £550,000 to the `One Foundation` that provides clean drinking water to villages across southern Africa through its PlayPumps scheme.