Bidcorp UK appoints a new managing director for Bidfresh

Bidcorp UK has announced that Andy Farnworth will become the new managing director of its fresh food division, Bidfresh, from 1^st July 2024, replacing the current incumbent, Brian Hall, who after nearly 20 years at the company, will retire this summer.

In a move to further cement Bidfresh’s position as the market leader for fresh produce in foodservice, Farnworth brings with him a wealth of experience as well as some ambitious new targets, including aspirations to double the size of the business over the next five years.

Prior to his move to Bidfresh, Farnworth spent 16 years at Fresh Direct, most recently serving as managing director for all of the UK’s fresh operations, and before that, sales and marketing director overseeing a decade of unprecedented revenue and profit growth.

Commenting on his appointment, he says: “It’s great to have joined such a successful business with a fantastic team of passionate experts. 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 SME’s with full autonomy, but as they are backed by the support and investment from our parent, Bidcorp UK, it is a powerful combination.”

“We want Bidfresh to be every chef and caterer's go-to supplier for all 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.”

Andrew Selley, CEO of Bidcorp UK adds: "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.”

You may also be interested in…