
Fatherson Bakery
Handmade cakes and sweet treats for UK retailers.
Date | Investors | Amount | Round |
---|---|---|---|
* | N/A | Early VC | |
Total Funding | 000k |
Related Content
Fatherson Bakery was a producer of handmade cakes and sweet treats based in Alcester, UK. The company was originally founded in 2007 by two fathers and their sons, Kevin Lees and David Geary, and Phillip Lees and Sean Geary, which inspired the company name. The business model focused on baking in small batches to maintain a homemade quality, supplying over 1,500 stores across the UK, including major retailers like Co-op, Morrisons, Budgens, Londis, and Nisa, as well as independent farm shops and garden centres. Their product line included a variety of sponge cakes, cupcakes, traybakes, pies, and seasonal specials.
In January 2019, the business was acquired by former Unilever marketing chief Laurence Smith, his wife Megan, and business partner Mark Lewis. Under the new leadership, the company underwent a rebrand, introduced a gluten-free range, and focused on using eco-friendly and recyclable packaging. The new management aimed for aggressive growth, expanding into foodservice channels and exploring exports to the US, Spain, and the Middle East. The company gained recognition, winning the Small Bakery Manufacturing Company of the Year award in 2020. Despite its successes and expansion plans, Fatherson Bakery entered voluntary liquidation in May 2023. The closure was attributed to a combination of rising ingredient, transportation, and utility costs, along with significant non-payments from a large retail client.
Keywords: bakery manufacturer, handmade cakes, sweet treats supplier, UK food producer, wholesale bakery, retail bakery supplier, sponge cakes, traybakes, Fatherson Bakery, Alcester bakery, British bakery, gluten-free baked goods, seasonal cakes, food and beverage, baked goods, patisserie, convenience store supplier, farm shop supplier, cake manufacturing, bakery liquidation