North Yorkshire jam start-up, Fearne & Rosie, has secured £450,000 to support the next stage of its development.

The fundraising will be deployed to help the Hawes-base team invest in product innovation and marketing, as well as build a larger retail network.

The investment round comprises core investor TwinklHive, the investment arm of Twinkl, a respected global leader in education resources, alongside a number of other key investors.

Launched in 2019, the business is on a mission to provide healthier jam alternatives to families across the UK. Fearne & Rosie jams have more fruit and less sugar, with each jar made up of 70% fruit and 40% less sugar than an average jar of jam.

Made from all natural ingredients, the jams are designed to help families make healthier choices and reduce unnecessary sugar intake, without compromising on taste.

The healthier jam business is striking a chord with both retailers and consumers. Growing by more than 400% in the past 12 months and on track to hit £5 million turnover by 2025, the brand appeals to young adults and families, helping drive new users into the category.

Fearne & Rosie’s Strawberry Jam is one of the fastest growing on Ocado, and the jams can also be found in Waitrose, with recent listings secured in Amazon, Booths and some Morrisons stores. Successful charitable partnerships have been forged with BBC Children in Need and FareShare, aiming to support vulnerable children across the UK.

Founder, Rachel Kettlewell, says: “With obesity rates in both reception-aged and year 6 school children showing the highest annual rise since the National Child Measurement Programme began, something needs to be done to turn the tide.

"Offering families healthier alternatives is a must. As the only challenger healthier family jam brand, Fearne & Rosie is in a unique position to try and effect change. This fundraise will help us achieve our goal of nationwide distribution of Fearne & Rosie jams across key channels, retailers and schools, as well as begin to build a targeted school support programme.”

Rachel said: “I’m delighted to have the backing of such amazing investors.

"I’m excited to be working with them on driving the strategic development of Fearne & Rosie, helping propel the business from challenger brand into the nation’s favourite jam brand.

"All our investors share our vision of wanting to make a positive impact, and I believe the next 12 months will be truly game-changing.”

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Jonathan Seaton, co-founder and CEO of Twinkl and Director of TwinklHive, says: “We are delighted to be supporting Rachel and Fearne & Rosie with their funding round as they look to provide a healthier option for families. Rachel’s hard work and passion is clear and we are excited to see how the business will grow over the next 12 months.”

Support for Kettlewell’s raise also came from female-focused angel investment community, Obu. Obu’s co-founders, Sarah King and Claire Dunn say: “Fearne & Rosie is a great example of a purpose-led, innovative, commercially strong female-founded business - the type of business that, as we increase the number of diverse angel investors in the UK, has an opportunity to really flourish and grow.”