An investment from Boparan Private Office (BPO) has helped bakery manufacturer Frank Roberts & Son Ltd safeguard 433 jobs across two sites.
The pre-pack deal, made for an undisclosed fee and announced this morning (15 October), sees the private investment firm owned by entrepreneur Ranjit Singh Boparan create a new company, Roberts Bakery 1887 Ltd – a reference to the year the Cheshire-based business was founded.
It comes just over a week after the fourth-generation family business – which produces bread under the Roberts Bakery brand as well as speciality bread and sweet treats for supermarkets, coffee shops and more – filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators.
Roberts reported it has been facing significant challenges in recent years, including rising costs and the recovery from a devastating fire in 2023 at its Northwich bread plant, which impacted profitability and operations. It had been considering to close its speciality bread factory in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (where it employs 38 staff), after looking to cut up to 250 jobs in Northwich.
It also operates a biscuit production site in nearby Winsford, which was transferred to BPO along with the Northwich bakery in a deal made immediately upon appointment of joint administrators at financial services firm PwC. Roberts revealed that the Ilkeston facility was sold to Warburtons prior to the administration.
Roberts had already been consulting with PwC to explore sale options. Today, it also confirmed the redundancy of 86 employees with PwC said to be working closely with the Redundancy Payments Service to ensure that those affected receive their statutory entitlements as soon as possible.
BPO said Roberts Bakery 1887 Ltd will form part of its portfolio of companies, benefitting from the backing and expertise of a strong and diverse enterprise with established interests in the bakery sector. It previously rescued Elkes Biscuits from closure in 2022 through its acquisition from 2 Sisters, securing more than 500 jobs after a “period of uncertainty for the site” in Uttoxeter.
Other businesses held by BPO include Ireland-based frozen pastry supplier Portumna Pastry, poultry brand Bernard Matthews and chicken supplier Banham Poultry, as well as restaurant chains Slim Chickens, Carluccio’s, Gourmet Burger Kitchen, and Giraffe.
Commenting on the Roberts transaction, a spokesperson for BPO said: “We are proud to play a part in preserving this iconic bakery, its people, and its heritage. Frank Roberts & Sons has been at the heart of the community for over a century, and we are committed to supporting its long-term success as Roberts Bakery 1887 Ltd.”
The investment firm confirmed its partnership with Roberts will support the existing management team and bring new talent into the business to ensure a sustainable future. It is unclear exactly who remains in charge of the bakery business, with former MD Julia Banton confirming she has now left and CEO Bill Thurston, CFO Graham Melia, and finance director Stephen Moon also terminated as directors according to Companies House filings. Roberts has been contacted for clarification.
A statement from the Roberts family said they were “profoundly relieved” that the business has been saved by a consortium of the management team backed by BPO. “There will be a recovery plan to ensure it can prosper and thrive and that so many jobs will be saved,” it added.
“We are of course sad it will no longer be us who are there to share in this new opportunity. It has been our utter privilege to have known so many of the people who have worked with us, and we wish you all our very best wishes for the future.”
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