The Compleat Food Group acquires speciality food producer

Leading food manufacturer The Compleat Food Group 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 the finest speciality cheeses, charcuterie, olives and deli products to its nationwide network of customers, which includes some of the UK’s leading luxury hotels and restaurants, farm shops, delicatessens and food manufacturers.

The company is the latest strategic acquisition by The Compleat Food Group as it continues its journey to become the UK’s number one chilled prepared food company. It follows the group’s acquisition of SK Foods and Zorba Foods, the category leaders in private label chilled party foods and dips and deli fillings, 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. Alongside an extensive and proud footprint across the retail brand space, it is home to leading brands Pork Farms, Wall’s Pastry, unearthed, Vadasz, Squeaky Bean, Wrights and Palace Culture.

The group has expertise in delivering high quality, delicious food from across the Mediterranean deli and continental meats categories into retail through its global outsourced model. The addition of Harvey & Brockless to its portfolio will extend The Compleat Food Group’s capabilities, to the benefit of all its customers, whilst opening up new markets and customers. It will also see its turnover surpass £1 billion.

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.

Its range includes the largest collection of British farmhouse cheeses in the UK, Mediterranean deli products from Dell'ami, British cured meats, and its own range of bespoke sauces and dips, produced at its purpose-built site in Evesham, Worcestershire as well as bespoke assembled cheese solutions from its site in Battersea, London.

Nick Field, CEO at The Compleat Food Group, said: “We are delighted to welcome this new addition to The Compleat Food Group. 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, said: “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.”