PROUD Yorkshireman and renowned entrepreneur David Kerfoot MBE DL was awarded the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the New Years Honours.

Mr Kerfoot, from Northallerton, built up his oil business after launching it in 1980 with wife Elizabeth in their back bedroom with just £300 in the bank.

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From there, offices were established in Bedale and later Northallerton, building the company into a £75m business as one of the leading suppliers in the country, stocking more than 800 oils for the food, cosmetics and aromatherapy industries.

He has also played a huge part in the community, serving with the North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership for a decade, three years as chair.

He was also High Sheriff of North Yorkshire for 2020-21, and is currently a Deputy Lieutenant.

Mr Kerfoot was praised for dedicating time to the voluntary sector and is a keen supporter of the Samaritans, Hambleton Foodshare and the Northallerton Pendragon Trust multi sensory centre.

He is also a supporter of Clean Slate Solutions, which helps people across Teesside and North Yorkshire with past convictions into paid employment.

The CBE was awarded for his service to rural businesses and the voluntary and community sector.

In response to the honour, Mr Kerfoot tweeted: “Happy New Year and a huge thanks for all the amazing messages of congratulations, I have received but this honour is not just for me it’s for wonderful North Yorkshire.”

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