A rising star of the ice cream industry has won a national award.

Zoe Philipson, 30, of Tyne Valley Ices in Hexham, has scooped the national ‘Guido Morelli Rising Star’ award from the Ice Cream Alliance, the trade body for the UK's £1.4 bn per year ice cream industry.

“This is utterly mind blowing,” exclaimed Zoe.

“To be nominated by unknown individuals from within the industry for something I consider ‘the norm’ is unreal. It defiantly has not sunk in yet but having people I look up to congratulate me will be something I will always remember.”

Tyne Valley Ices was established in 1974 and Zoe has been involved full time since finishing her A levels about 12 years ago. She spent her childhood summers watching her parents grow the business and relished helping out at events.

“It was truly idyllic, a child’s dream,” added Zoe.

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Tyne Valley Ices is a rural business based in Northumberland which ticks a lot of boxes when it comes to the ice cream industry. It is a manufacturer, wholesaler and ice cream van operator. “We love seeing our products being enjoyed while out and about and sharing experiences with other local businesses. We manufacture our very own ice cream by retaining many original technique and principles created at the start in 1974 along with a vast modern range of topping sauces which we ship out nationally and internationally.”

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The Guido Morelli Rising Star award is announced annually by the Ice Cream Alliance (ICA), the UK’s ice cream industry trade association. The Rising Star award was created in 2014 in memory of ICA Past President, Guido Morelli, a member of the family that runs the world-famous Irish ice cream company.

“Zoe is a very worthy winner of one of the most prestigious awards in the ice cream industry,” said Zelica Carr, ICA CEO.

“She has had some stunning successes already and we wait to see her career and business grow, develop and thrive into the future.”