George Baxter, aged 25, receives help to open a grocery shop in the village of Fochabers. In the back shop, his wife Margaret begins making jams and jellies using soft fruits sourced from the local area. From a small act of kindness, a multi-national enterprise takes root.
George and Margaret's son William Baxter, and his wife Ethel, oversee expansion of the business, with a factory built close to the village of Fochabers. In 1923, Ethel hires then acquires a canning machine, enabling the firm to become one of the first Scottish producers of tinned fruit. As well as being acclaimed for her innovation, Ethel is known for her willingness to support local good causes and for her charitable giving in the village.
Gordon and Ian return after the war to a firm with just 11 employees. Together, they get the company back on track, overseeing a period of sustained expansion. The company grows to become one of Moray's major employers and its products are known around the world.
Art teacher Ena Robertson, of Huntly, takes up a job teaching in Fochabers and meets Gordon. As Gordon always said... 'the rest is history'. Together, they make a brilliant husband and wife team and a formidable business duo. In the decades to come, they create an exciting new range of soups and travel widely, selling their family brand to markets near and far. As well as being passionate about their family and the business, charitable giving was never far from their minds.
Gordon and his brother Ian, along with their wives Ena and Margaret, formalise their giving by establishing a charitable foundation. This was designed to enable them to give back to the communities which helped their family business to grow. The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation has since supported countless charities and community groups from across the North.
Gordon and Ena's daughter Audrey, who became managing director of the company in 1992, establishes a charitable trust, which today is known as the Baxter Family Charity.
The Baxters Giving Programme launches, providing access to small scale funding to support local causes in the communities where Baxters operates. The programme is overseen by fifth-generation family member, Katy Baxter.