Fylde Fresh and Fabulous (FFF), a leading specialist potato and vegetable processor supplying many of the UK’s best-known food manufacturers, has been acquired by Chiltern Capital, a UK private investment firm, to support its next phase of growth.
The transaction, supported by lead adviser DSW, brings complementary agronomy, sustainable practice and processing expertise to Chiltern’s existing portfolio, which includes Burgess Farms, while building on the group’s broader seed-to-shelf offering. The strategic partnership will enable the group to strengthen its capabilities and better support customers and growers as it continues to supply high-quality fresh produce in a sector key to UK national resilience.
Operating from two processing sites in Preston and Leeds, FFF supplies 1,000 tonnes of fresh prepared produce each week.
FFF was advised on the transaction by Dow Schofield Watts’ North West team, led by Gerard Lucas, Callum Sellar, and Jack Keoghan. Napthens provided legal advice, led by Richard Robinson and Sharon Graves.
Gerard Lucas, Partner at DSW, commented, “It has been a pleasure to advise the shareholders and team at FFF on this transaction. It’s a great business led by a truly exceptional management team that will continue its impressive growth with the support of Chiltern.”
Simon Leaver, CEO of Fylde Fresh and Fabulous, said on the team,
“Dow Schofield Watts were an outstanding corporate finance advisor throughout our recent sale process.
From the outset they took a proactive lead in running the process, managing the diverse interests of the selling shareholders with real skill and keeping us well informed at every stage. They negotiated assertively and authentically with the buyer, managing the negotiation dynamic skilfully and striking the right balance of tension and collaboration to reach a strong outcome for all parties.
They were never afraid of the difficult conversation when one was needed, and their honesty with us throughout meant we always understood where we stood. What set the quality of their work apart was how quickly they assimilated a deep understanding of our business and sector — that grasp of context showed from the start, with an information memorandum and databook that were comprehensive, well structured and accurate, and it carried through in analysis and advice that were consistently sharp and well-founded.
All of it was delivered at pace, which allowed the whole process to move as quickly as it could without sacrificing rigour.
Gerard Lucas, the managing partner, led the engagement with the judgment and experience you would expect from someone who has guided many sellers through complex transactions to a successful conclusion for all parties. He was well supported by Callum Sellar and Jack Keoghan, who carried the bulk of the financial analysis, freeing our own team to focus on due diligence while still finding time to keep the business running.
I would recommend DSW without hesitation to any shareholder group considering a sale process.”
Fylde Fresh and Fabulous (FFF), a leading specialist potato and vegetable processor supplying many of the UK’s best-known food manufacturers, has been acquired by Chiltern Capital, a UK private investment firm, to support its next phase of growth.
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