Brakes Group has been named as the Marine Stewardship Council’s (MSC) Fish Supplier of the Year 2014 as part of the organisation’s celebrations for World Oceans Day on June 8.

This is the first year that the awards have taken place in the UK, with Brakes beating off the competition to take the supplier award for its commitment to sourcing MSC-certified products and promoting sustainable choices to its customers.

Brakes claims to be the first foodservice company in the UK to offer an MSC-approved product in 2003 and that it also has the largest foodservice range in the UK, stocking more than 100 MSC-certified products.

Natalie Phillips, category manager – fish and seafood, said: “It is a fantastic honour to pick up this award, particularly having led the industry by introducing the first MSC product more than 10 years ago. We have continued to extend the range ever since, and are committed to delivering MSC products to our customers, working closely with them and our supply chain to ensure they can make sustainable choices, wherever possible.”

MSC senior UK country manager Toby Middleton said: “I’m delighted to award Brakes MSC Fish Supplier of the Year 2014. Their large range of MSC products comes from more than six years’ commitment to expand their MSC-certified product range and provide their customers with certified sustainable fish and seafood.

“This work has enabled schools, universities, contract caterers and independent business owners to make the most of their own MSC certification and promote the sustainably certified seafood that they serve, by using the MSC’s blue ecolabel.”