New MD for Bidfresh announced
Bidcorp UK’s fresh food division Bidfresh has announced its new managing director as Brian Hall retires after 20 years with the company
Andy Farnworth will take over the helm as of 1 July and is tasked with ambitious targets for what he describes as a ‘powerful combination’ of SMEs with the backing of Bidcorp UK.
He said: “We want Bidfresh to be every chef and caterer’s go-to supplier for all of their fresh requirements; fish, seafood, produce, dairy and meat. We will continue to passionately serve our fantastic customers and will be looking to grow into new territories through organic development and acquisitions of like-minded regional fresh businesses, who share our passion and beliefs and will improve our proposition.”
Farnworth spent 16 years at Fresh Direct, most recently serving as managing director for all of the UK’s fresh operations. Prior to that he was sales & marketing director, overseeing a decade of unprecedented revenue and profit growth.
“It’s great to have joined such a successful business with a fantastic team of passionate experts,” said Farnworth. “I feel incredibly privileged to lead the fresh team and to be the custodian of such terrific brands.
“Our proposition is truly unique in fresh foodservice. We have ten independent businesses, led by local people, operating autonomously in their regional markets, each with a team of highly skilled fishmongers, butchers and greengrocers. They are essentially standalone SMEs with full autonomy, but they are backed by the support and investment from our parent Bidcorp UK.”
Andrew Selley, CEO, Bidcorp UK added: “We’re delighted to welcome Andy into the Bidcorp UK family as the new Managing Director of Bidfresh.
“Andy is a focused, value-driven and passionate leader with a great deal of experience in the industry, as well as maintaining excellent customer relationships. His work on strategy, operations, sales and marketing will be a great asset to Bidfresh and its independent brands.
“I would also like to express my gratitude to Brian Hall, who has been at the helm of Bidfresh for the past four and a half years. The positive changes Brian has made to Bidfresh have been phenomenal, from navigating through Brexit and the pandemic, to steering the business towards record levels of profitability. On behalf of all the team, we wish him a very happy and well-deserved retirement.”
Andrew Selley Andy Farnworth appointment Bidcorp Bidfresh Brian Hall Fresh Direct
