Private Equity-backed Bramble Foods Acquires Whitakers Chocolates
Fivefold Associates has advised the shareholders of Yorkshire-based Whitakers Chocolates Limited on its acquisition by Market Harborough-based Bramble Foods Group.
Tony Foster, managing director of Bramble Foods, said: “We are delighted to welcome Whitakers Chocolates to the Bramble Foods Group and look forward to working with William and his team to further develop the business. Whitakers is a well-run business with a long history of producing excellent products, this coupled with a broad customer base and dedicated team of employees attracted us to the business. As a family, Whitakers is our longest standing supplier having worked together for over 40 years.”
Bramble Foods was founded in 2008 by brothers Nigel and Tony Foster, alongside Chris Neville and Ken Osborne. It produces confectionery, traditional cakes, award-winning preserves and chutneys.
William Whitaker, managing director of Whitakers Chocolates, said: “As a fourth-generation member of the Whitaker family, chocolate has been at the very heart of my life for as long as I can remember. I am delighted that Whitakers Chocolates has joined the Bramble Foods Group as it is a wonderful opportunity to share our knowledge and invest for the future together. Whilst I will always carry the immense pride and heritage we’ve built over 135 years, I recognise that now is the right time to pass on our cherished traditions to a company that can develop the business further.”
Steve Anstey, managing director of Fivefold Associates, said: “It has been a genuine privilege to advise William Whitaker throughout this process. It’s always satisfying to help our clients to achieve a successful outcome, especially a business with such a long and rich history.”
The Whitakers Chocolates management team, led by William Whitaker, will remain in place.
Bramble Foods was backed by private equity firm LDC in 2022.
