The innovative brand that started out delivering milk by horse and cart – before evolving into Scotland’s number one dairy brand

How do you end up being cream of the crop in the business world? Scotland’s largest family-run dairy business, Graham’s The Family Dairy, has combined family legacy with retail and marketing expertise to stay resilient within a competitive market.

Jean Graham

Jean Graham, director of Graham’s, and her daughter Carol have spent decades working side by side both on the family’s farm and within the business, ensuring the legacy of a multi-generational brand that has operated since 1939. Jean had a pivotal role in establishing the company’s retail footprint, after an early move into bricks and mortar. With a background in retail (she had worked at her father’s department store, Bishop’s of Falkirk), Jean made the decision to acquire a small shop in Bridge of Allan – shifting the focus from solely door-to-door deliveries to supplying local shops. 

This laid the foundation for the company’s expansion. What began as a dairy supplying produce to local shops in Bridge of Allan has since grown into an international brand, with products now sold across the UK and as far afield as Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Dubai. 

Carol Graham

Carol Graham, the brand’s marketing director, started out studying Physical Education and went on to teach. Although never part of her plan, Carol joined the family business in 1996 and worked across every department, from the production line to payroll. Influenced by her time as chair of the marketing committee on Morrison’s Academy Board of Governors, she laid out a plan for creative growth, including increasing products from milk and butter to newer ranges such as Protein 25 and the latest Kefir Pouches launch. She became marketing director and a company board director in 2006, overseeing a six-figure rebranding exercise and a 25% increase in sales in its first year.

Carol’s innovative approach to marketing, combined with her interest in health, wellbeing, sport and fashion, has seen her develop novel partnerships for Graham’s. Sponsorships of Loughborough University, The Scottish Ballet, The Edinburgh International Fashion Festival and Scottish Hockey have aligned the brand with up-and-coming talent and helped the business reach new audiences.

Carol Graham, company chairman Dr Robert Graham, Jean Graham, and managing director Robert Graham

By keeping the company’s values and ethos of farming, family, quality, heritage and provenance front of mind for customers, Graham’s have combined the key ingredients for an enduring and successful brand.