Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Ufit founder Austin Bailey makes way for new MD Tony Holmes

Ufit founder Austin Bailey makes way for new MD Tony Holmes
Tony Holmes

Leading high protein ready-to-drink brand Ufit has announced the next stage in its evolution as it appointed Tony Holmes as its new managing director, replacing founder Austin Bailey.

Holmes brings a breadth of senior commercial and directorial experience to the company, having previously been chief operating officer of Glebe Farm Foods Ltd, the UK’s leading producer of gluten-free, 100% pure British oats. Other notable positions include managing director of VBites Food Ltd and sales director of Bestway Wholesale Ltd, greatly improving market share and commercial viability during his tenure.


Austin Bailey, founder and managing director of Ufit, began the category-leading brand alongside co-founder and marketing director, Terry Adams, and Huw Miller, former sales director and co-founder, in 2014. It is now a multi-million revenue business, having joined the Weetabix Food Company in 2022.

The news follows the recent announcement of Adams welcoming Angie Turner to the company as head of marketing, in a similar role transition.

Austin BaileyAustin Bailey

“Tony is the perfect choice to lead the next chapter in Ufit’s progression as managing director,” Bailey, founder and managing director of Lacka Foods, said.

“Having driven the success of both independent challengers and established sector leaders alike, his knowledge and experience is invaluable to the company’s continued growth. I look forward to seeing what’s next to come and wish the entire Ufit Team the very best for the future; they have some very exciting plans which I will be looking out for!”

Sally Abbott, managing director of Weetabix, UK and Ireland, added: “Since taking Ufit under the Weetabix family’s wing, we have been delighted to see it has continued to grow from strength to strength within the market as the UK’s leading high-protein drink brand.

“We thank both Austin and Terry for their hard work and dedication. Now, with a fresh team of experienced and senior leadership at the helm, we’re excited to see what’s in store for the future of the brand – and our best wishes to both in their future endeavours.”

More for you

Trade union calls for 'respect, decent break' for retail staff

iStock image

Trade union calls for 'respect, decent break' for retail staff

Retail trade union Usdaw today (23) called on the shopping public to show respect for shop workers, stating that the busy pre-Christmas shopping period leaves retail workers exhausted and in need of a proper break.

Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says, “By the time retail workers get to Christmas Eve, they will have been through a very busy run-up to Christmas. Our members tell us that incidents of verbal abuse are much worse in December and through to the New Year, when shops are busy, customers are stressed and things can boil over.

Keep ReadingShow less
iStock 1458055720
iStock image
iStock image

'Retailers must focus on prices as convenience channel poised to expand'

Grocers must focus on their price positioning to remain competitive as food and grocery spending in UK convenience stores is projected to outpace the hypermarkets, supermarkets, and discounters channel.

According to GlobalData, food and grocery spending in convenience stores is projected to reach £43.2 billion by 2028, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.0 per cent between 2024 and 2028.

Keep ReadingShow less
iStock 1137402716
iStock image
iStock image

‘Grocery tax’ to add £56 to food bills

The upcoming “grocery tax” could hit hard-pressed Britons in the pocket, adding up to £56 annually to household shopping bills and costing families as much as £1.4 billion a year, state reports on Sunday (22) citing a recent analysis.

The scheme, known as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), imposes a levy on retailers and manufacturers for the cost of collecting and disposing of packaging waste, currently funded via council tax.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR teams up with Preston primary school to spread festive cheer

SPAR teams up with Preston primary school to spread festive cheer

Ashton Primary School in Preston has teamed up with SPAR during the season of goodwill to donate delicious food to the city’s Foxton Centre.

The school’s Year 3 class enjoyed a cookery session baking pear and chocolate crumbles to take down to the Foxton Homeless Day Centre as a pre-Christmas treat for people who access its services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cadbury removed from royal warrant list after 170 years

(Photo credit should read Leon Neal/AFP via Getty Images)

Cadbury removed from royal warrant list after 170 years

Cadbury’s has not been granted a royal warrant for the first time in 170 years after it got dropped from King Charles’s list of warrants.

Queen Victoria first awarded Cadbury with the title in 1854 which was then repeated by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1955 who was a huge lover of the chocolate.

Keep ReadingShow less