Fresh produce supplier to the care industry Bidcorp UK has appointed Andy Farnworth as managing director of its fresh food division, Bidfresh, replacing Brian Hall, who after nearly 20 years at the company, will retire this summer.

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.

Farnworth said he aims to double the size of the business over the next five years, adding: “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 10 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, it is a powerful combination.

“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.”

Andrew Selley, chief executive of 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.”