The Compleat Food Group, the owner of brands such as Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, and Squeaky Bean, has acquired speciality food producer and distributor Harvey & Brockless for an undisclosed figure.
Harvey & Brockless works with artisan food producers from across the world to deliver speciality cheeses, charcuterie, olives and deli products to its network of customers, which includes some of the UK’s leading luxury hotels and restaurants, farm shops, delicatessens and food manufacturers.
The acquisition is part of The Compleat Food Group’s drive to become the UK’s leading chilled prepared food company. It follows the purchases of SK Foods and Zorba Foods earlier this year.
Backed by European private equity firm PAI Partners, The Compleat Food Group was formed in 2021 and currently employs over 4,600 people across 13 sites. Its other brands include Unearthed, Vadasz, Wrights, and Palace Culture.
The addition of Harvey & Brockless to its portfolio is expected to open up new markets and also see its turnover surpass £1bn.
Employing around 500 people, Harvey & Brockless will continue to operate as its own brand under the leadership of the current management team, led by Simon Yorke, Nick Martin and Jonnie Archer.
The family-owned firm was founded in 1970 in Hailsham, Sussex, growing to become one of the leading suppliers of fine foods to foodservice, with customers including Harrods, The Savoy, Ritz and The Dorchester. In 2018, it opened a new site in the UAE, servicing Emirates and Etihad airlines as well as a number of five-star hotels.
Nick Field, CEO at The Compleat Food Group, said: “Harvey & Brockless has a long heritage and passion for sourcing the best speciality food from across the UK and the globe for its customers, which aligns perfectly with our mission of creating great quality food that people love to eat.”
“The parallels between our two businesses are very strong, and with the fantastic product range of Harvey & Brockless, the acquisition will further extend The Compleat Food Group’s capabilities to the benefit of our existing customers, whilst also opening up new markets and customers for us to delight more consumers through our great tasting food.”
Nick Martin, Managing Director at Harvey & Brockless, added: “Since our early days selling cheese to Harrods, we have been committed to supplying the very best food from our network of artisan food producers in formats that are specific to our customers.”
“In The Compleat Food Group we have found a partner who shares our passion for great food and will help us to grow and fulfil our future ambitions. I and the rest of the leadership team are looking forward to working with The Compleat Food Group as we continue on the next stage of Harvey & Brockless’ journey.”
Earlier this week, The Compleat Food Group announced the appointment of Mark Howgego as its first Chief Product Officer. He was most recently Commercial and Sustainability Director at Bighams, where he led the company’s branded and own-label product strategies for the past seven years. Before that, Howgego was Commercial Director at Higgidy, having started his career at Innocent Drinks and Diageo.
In his new role, he will tasked with “accelerating The Compleat Food Group’s impressive growth by driving further focus on maximising quality across its categories and working closely with its customers to deliver exceptional, affordable and sustainable food at every price tier”.
NAM Implications:
- This acquisition adds a speciality arm to The Compleat Food Group.
- While providing access to shared resources and coverage for Harvey & Brockless.
- (And finances for expansion)
- Time to reassess relative competitive appeal in the sector…
