Farmison has been bought out of administration by ex-Asda boss Andy Clarke, who leads a consortium, for an undisclosed sum.
It said that over the course of the coming weeks, the consortium will recommence operations at the sustainable online meat retailer’s production facility in Ripon, North Yorkshire.
Andy Clarke, who was chief executive officer of Asda from 2010 – 2016 will become executive chairman of Farmison.
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It comes as Asda, Sainsbury’s and M&S become the latest retailers to join John Lewis and Unilever in halting their relationships with the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), following a second sexual harassment allegation.
The consortium will work with the whole leadership team “to first stabilise the company after a difficult year and then devise and implement a growth strategy.”
Clarke also runs the business with Gareth Whittle, the former founder and managing director of Chilli Marketing and a board member of Farmison prior to administration.
Together with Christian and Kieron Barton, the Chilli team powered the rise of the Rekorderlig cider brand in the UK and 10 countries across the world.
Clarke said: “While unable to navigate the economic difficulties of the last 12 months, John’s ‘eat better meat’ mission that sits at the heart of Farmison’s business, is one we believe has significant potential for growth.
“And as a retailer brought up on a farm in Yorkshire, I know how producers across the region appreciated Farmison’s commitment to the best producers who could provide the highest quality meat to customers.
FRP Advisory partner and joint administrator Arvindar Jit Singh said: “We are thrilled to have been able to secure a buyer for Farmison who is able to recommence trading and bring jobs back to Ripon.
“There had been significant interest in purchasing the business and assets of Farmison and a number of serious offers had been put forward in recent weeks, but the proposal from the consortium provides the best opportunity of both re-establishing the business and maximising returns to creditors.”
