Northern Irish food-to-go supplier Around Noon has secured new investment to support its next phase of growth.
The multi-million pound funding from Belfast-based financial services provider Whiterock aims to enable the company to build on its existing manufacturing footprint and growth trajectory in the UK and Ireland markets. It also sees Whiterock become a minority stakeholder.
Around Noon currently operates three sites: a 25,000 sq ft facility in Newry, a 25,000 sq ft factory in Slough which came via The Soho Sandwich Company acquisition in 2023, and its new 30,000 sq ft site at Slough Trading Estate near Heathrow airport opened last year.
The company produces over four million products every month, supplied chilled, hot or frozen into sectors including convenience and supermarket retail, contract catering and events, travel, education, forecourt, and coffee. Its range comprises sandwiches, wraps, salads, breakfast and hot deli options, snack pots, and bakery items such as Jason’s Sourdough premium toasties and hot rolls.
Around Noon was founded in 1989 on the kitchen table of Newry residents Francis and Sheila Chambers. Their son Gareth subsequently took control of the family business in 2016 via a management buyout, assuming the role of CEO.
“We see huge growth opportunities in the UK and Ireland, and taking on equity backing will be incredibly helpful to us in being able to scale significantly,” commented Chambers. “We are grateful to the Whiterock team for their support and expertise and believe they can play a very valuable role in the next phase of Around Noon and our growth.”
Whiterock has been operating in Northern Ireland for more than 14 years, providing tailored finance solutions to support ambitious SMEs. Backed by institutional partners and private investors, it has managed more than £250m across five funds and to date has deployed in excess of £150m.
Whiterock CEO Paul Millar described Around Noon as “incredible story of Northern Ireland business success and a company that is truly respected in the food to go sector”.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with Gareth and the team to help them realise their ambitions for further growth,” he added. “Beyond capital, we provide strategic guidance, industry insight, and access to a wider network to support management teams through their next phase of growth and we are incredibly excited about what we believe Around Noon can achieve.”
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