Kestrel Food’s Founder and managing director Michael Hall has been awarded an MBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his services to economic development in Northern Ireland.
Mr Hall founded the snack company in 1996, launching the Forest Feast brand the same year and then the ACTI-SNACK brand in 2016, with his late wife Lorraine.
His vision and dedication has helped built Kestrel Foods into one of the UK’s leading snacking businesses, recognised across the world for its premium and innovative ranges.
Speaking about the award, Mr Hall said: “I’m incredibly honoured to be on the MBE 2020 Queens Birthday List. It is a great privilege to work in such a dynamic industry, and I can credit much of the success to the local workforce who have an unrivalled loyalty, dedication, and work ethic.
"I’m incredibly proud of building a home-grown business that has cultivated a global consumer base – the award is the ultimate recognition of this.”
The managing director's foresight has led to continued investment in its world class manufacturing facility, which now employs 80 people at its headquarters in Portadown, County Armagh.
In 2019 Kestrel Foods achieved Platinum status in the Deloitte Best Managed Companies.
Earlier this year Kestrel Foods announced a further £2.8 million investment in its facilities to extend capability and to keep up with increasing demand. This will create a further 22 jobs over the next three years.
Aa strong advocate of giving back to the community, Mr Hall has supported numerous charities and sporting organisations, including investing in Future Talent through the Kestrel Careers Programme and sponsoring the Ulster Grocer ‘Young Marketer of the Year’ award.
Panel discussion at the relaunch of the SAITG on 3 March 2025
