Gordons advises on the sale of Whitakers Chocolates to Bramble Foods Group
Monday 27th January 2025
Branded ambient foods supplier Bramble Foods Group has acquired a historic Skipton-based chocolate maker.
Whitakers Chocolates has been a major part of British chocolate-making for 135 years, supplying confectionery for retail, private label and food service markets.
The acquisition builds on a working relationship spanning 17 years, during which time Whitakers has been a key supplier to Bramble Foods Group.
A team from Gordons, led by corporate partner James Fawcett, worked on the deal. Other team members included corporate lawyers Lucy Leyland and Lauren Wurzal; commercial property lawyers Rachel Thompson and Kendall Philipson; and employment solicitor Mike Patterson.
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.”
Founded in 2008 by brothers Nigel and Tony Foster, alongside Chris Neville and Ken Osborne, from its Market Harborough headquarters Bramble Foods produces a wide range of premium products, including its largest category confectionery, traditional cakes, award-winning preserves, and chutneys, while supporting local employment and suppliers.
Whitakers Chocolates managing director, William Whitaker, 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 have 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.”
The Whitakers Chocolates management team, led by William, will remain in place, with Bramble Foods describing the transition as “business as usual”.
Gordons’ James Fawcett added: “Being a Skipton lad, Whitakers Chocolates has always been a presence in my life – originally as the mysterious chocolate factory on the edge of the town centre from which amazing smells used to drift and more recently as a fantastic business to work with.
“It’s been great to support William and his team over a number of years, culminating in this exciting transaction.”
Bramble Foods was backed by LDC, the private equity investor which is part of Lloyds Banking Group, in 2022 and since then LDC has supported Tony and the wider management team as they deliver their organic and acquisitive growth strategy.
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