POLLY METCALFE, managing director of The Ice Co, has always been involved in the family business in some way.

From an early age, she and her siblings, Belle and Philip, would accompany her father to the J Marr offices on a Saturday.

York-based Polly said: “I think at that stage my dad just took us to the office to give mum a break, although we didn’t really help – we just enjoyed racing around on the office chairs instead!”

When Polly reached the age of 16, she began spending her summers earning herself some money in the The Ice Co’s factories.

With initial dreams to be an actress, Polly set off to university to study drama.

Gaining her BA in 2007, Polly decided not to pursue the bright lights of Hollywood but instead try her hand within the family business, managing its day-to-day running.

In 2010, her father decided to take a step back from the business, so his children Polly, Belle and Philip could take over.

Belle now runs Blue Keld Springs, a bottled mineral water site, Philip is J Marr Group managing director and Polly became managing director for The Ice Co.

She said: “First established in 1860, The Ice Co remains a privately-owned family business and one of my main goals is to build a sustainable business for the future generations within the family, as well as for its employees.

"We’ve invested £4.5 million since 2017 to increase our manufacturing capacity at our Pontefract head office by 30 per cent, and generation seven of The Ice Co is already in development as all three of us siblings have young children.

"I have a daughter, Freya, who’s 16 months… with another one on the way.”

Polly, who used to live in the centre of York, but recently moved to a village just outside the city to raise her children, has big ambitions for the company.

"Without a doubt, 2018 has been one of most challenging and exciting years to date, with our busiest summer on record, unprecedented sales growth and industry recognition by winning Frozen Food Manufacturer of the Year," she said.

"Our ambitions don't end here though. The Ice Co's goal is to continue to lead the ice market in Europe and cement its position as a top performing frozen food manufacturer.

"We also have further investment on the horizon to develop even more products that fulfil consumer demands and respond to key trends.”

She added: “My mission is also to make The Ice Co a household name.

"Although we are the UK and Europe’s number one ice brand and provide 70 per cent of the ice used at high-profile industry events including Ascot and The Chelsea Flower Show, many people are not aware you can walk into the supermarket and buy ice for your evening drinks or parties at home.

"My goal is to get people to ditch the ice tray and to educate them about the ease, varieties and premium ice products that are available.”