Daren and Jacob Durkin have transformed Trentham Foods from a small Staffordshire poultry trading business into a high-growth, nationally and internationally connected company.

The business achieved average annual turnover growth of more than 16% between 2022 and 2026, including a 40% increase between 2024 and 2025, with projected growth of almost 18% from 2025 to 2026.

Founded by Daren Durkin in 2006, Trentham Foods initially specialised in supplying poultry products to butchers, wholesalers and foodservice customers. Having built his career within the meat industry through operational and trading roles, Daren developed a deep understanding of customer needs, relationship building and identifying commercial opportunities within a highly competitive sector.

Jacob joined the business in 2013 after graduating from Keele University with a degree in International Business and Finance. Bringing a fresh commercial perspective and ambitious plans for expansion, he recognised opportunities to take the business beyond its regional roots.

Daren and Jacob formed an entrepreneurial partnership, combining decades of industry expertise with strategic thinking, innovation and a long-term growth mindset.

When Brexit introduced major changes to international trade, increased customs administration and rising import costs, many businesses within the sector saw this as a barrier to expansion. Daren and Jacob viewed it as an opportunity to scale the business rapidly while competitors hesitated. Using reinvested profits rather than loans or external investment, they invested heavily in developing in-house customs and compliance systems, strengthening international supply relationships and expanding operational infrastructure. This approach gave Trentham Foods greater operational control, improved flexibility and strengthened its ability to maintain continuity of supply during a highly disruptive period for the industry.

Their entrepreneurial leadership was demonstrated again during the COVID-19 pandemic. At that stage, a significant proportion of the company’s business operated within foodservice, leaving it heavily exposed when restaurants and hospitality venues closed during lockdowns. Daren and Jacob made the calculated decision to rapidly expand into retail and manufacturing sectors to offset declining foodservice demand. This strategic shift protected the business during an unprecedented trading environment and accelerated long-term growth and diversification.

Daren and Jacob also recognised the importance of diversification early in the company’s journey. They expanded Trentham Foods into a multi-protein business covering beef, pork, lamb, game and cooked products while developing international sourcing partnerships across Europe, Australia and New Zealand. This represented a major strategic transformation and created a stronger, more resilient organisation with multiple revenue streams and reduced reliance on any single market sector.

Innovation has remained central throughout this growth. As international supply chains became increasingly complex, Daren and Jacob invested in developing systems and processes covering logistics, purchasing, sales, customs and compliance management.

Alongside commercial success they have built a business culture centred around people, development, and long-term opportunity. Daren and Jacob have focused on recruiting locally and developing talent internally.

During periods of economic pressure, including the cost-of-living crisis, they introduced proactive salary increases and support measures because they recognised that long-term business success depends on investing in and supporting the people behind it.

Trentham Foods has entered the Business of the Year category of University of Staffordshire Business Awards. Jacob and Daren have entered the Entrepreneur of the Year category.