Farmison & Co acquired by Yorkshire consortium led by retailer Andy Clarke

Posted on Apr 24, 2023

Farmison & Co, the on-line meat retailer, which went into adminstration earlier this month, has been acquired by a consortium led by the previous CEO of Asda, Andy Clarke and Chilli Advertising’s Gareth Whittle, Christian Barton and Kieron Barton for an undisclosed sum.

Farmison seems to have its web site up and working over the approaching weeks.

Over the course of the approaching weeks, the consortium intends to recommence operations at Farmison’s manufacturing facility in Ripon, North Yorkshire, and return the enterprise to being an essential employer within the metropolis.

Gareth Whittle is the previous founder and managing director of Chilli Advertising and a board member of Farmison previous to administration.

The consortium will work with the entire management workforce to firstly stabilise the corporate after a tough yr after which devise and implement a progress technique.

Andy Clarke, who was chief govt officer of Leeds-based Asda from 2010-16 will turn into govt chairman of Farmison.

Acknowledging the imaginative and prescient of John Pallagi who co-founded the enterprise with Lee Simmons in 2011, Andy mentioned: “Whereas unable to navigate the financial difficulties of the final 12 months, John’s ‘eat higher meat’ mission that sits on the coronary heart of Farmison’s enterprise, is one we imagine has important potential for progress.

“And as a retailer introduced up on a farm in Yorkshire, I understand how producers throughout the area appreciated Farmison’s dedication to the perfect producers who may present the very best high quality meat to clients.

“That’s why I’m very enthusiastic about Farmison’s prospects. We have now a chance to scale this enterprise and additional develop each its direct-to-consumer and wholesale plans, constructing on the ethos and values of what Farmison stands for.

“However, there’s a lot work to do to get the enterprise again on its toes and buying and selling once more – not least re-engaging with Farmison’s essential community of farmers throughout the area and re-employing colleagues.

“Within the short-term, our aim is to deliver monetary stability to the enterprise, and we’re dedicated to re-energising Farmison’s long-term imaginative and prescient so it could actually reap the benefits of the expansion alternatives which might be undoubtedly obtainable to it.”

Arvindar Jit Singh, Joint Administrator and companion at FRP Advisory mentioned: “We’re thrilled to have been in a position to safe a purchaser for Farmison who is ready to recommence buying and selling and produce jobs again to Ripon.

“There had been important curiosity in buying the enterprise and belongings of Farmison and a variety of critical affords had been put ahead in latest weeks, however the proposal from the Consortium offers the perfect alternative of each re-establishing the enterprise and maximising returns to collectors.

“We want the workforce each success as they take the enterprise ahead.”

In the midst of the approaching weeks, the consortium expects to re-open Farmison’s web site and can replace clients and suppliers with its plans sooner or later.

Farmison & Co sells on-line on to clients throughout the UK, and thru wholesale channels corresponding to Harrods, Selfridges, Fortnum & Mason and Michelin star eating places.