The co-leader of a major North East food manufacturer has announced significant job creation plans for the year ahead, driven by ambitious international expansion. Nagma Ebanks-Beni MBE, co-CEO of Prima Cheese, revealed the firm intends to grow its workforce by between 10% and 15% over the next twelve months.
Investment Fuels International Ambition
Prima Cheese, which turns over £109m annually, currently employs nearly 200 people across its operations. The planned expansion could see around 20 to 30 new roles created. This growth is underpinned by a surge in sales outside Europe, which jumped substantially from £15.7m to £21.9m in the year to the end of March 2025.
The company, which processes hundreds of tonnes of cheese each week for the UK and 60 other countries, has invested heavily in its Seaham, County Durham production site. This investment is designed to meet rising demand and compete with global rivals from Australia to the United States and the Middle East.
London Hub Expansion Drives Recruitment
A key part of the growth strategy is the expansion of Prima's London commercial base. Opened in 2023 on Holloway Road in Islington, the office underwent a £250,000 refurbishment late last year. The larger footprint within the company-owned building now provides space for an additional 10 staff members.
"We've now got a renewed commercial focus and that means adding to our international team," explained Ms Ebanks-Beni, who handles commercial activity while her brother Nima Beni focuses on operations. She clarified the operational division: "Documentation, loading and warehousing all happens in the North East, while the sales, marketing, travel and representation of Prima as a company goes on in London."
The immediate focus is on recruiting salespeople to be dispatched to international markets from London, as well as workers for the North East site.
Inspiring a New Generation of Global Exporters
Beyond her own company's growth, Nagma Ebanks-Beni expressed a strong desire to see other businesses in the North East follow a similar global path. She positioned Prima Cheese as a regional beacon for international trade.
"We want to be a company that inspires the next generation of companies coming up in the North East," she said. "Those wanting to go into international global business. Because for us, it's been our pivot point... and given our company and our people so much confidence."
She encouraged a mindset shift among local firms, advocating for embracing discomfort and pushing boundaries. Reflecting on Prima's own journey, she highlighted the leap of faith required: "We didn't know much about the Middle East when we went into it 16 years ago, and similarly we didn't know much about China when we broke into it... but that is not a preventative of moving forward."
Her message is clear: Prima Cheese's success is a testament to the potential of North East manufacturing on the world stage, and she hopes its story will empower others to explore global opportunities.
