First Milk
First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative that processes milk from ~700 UK farming families at three sites into cheese, whey protein ingredients, and chilled dairy products for enterprise food manufacturers — chiefly Nestlé — with a differentiation strategy built on regenerative farming and verified sustainability credentials.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersPaisley, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What First Milk does
First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative that processes raw milk from approximately 700 UK farming families into cheese, specialist dairy ingredients, and fresh dairy products. It operates three processing sites: Lake District Creamery in Aspatria (Cumbria), Haverfordwest Creamery in Pembrokeshire, and BV Dairy in Dorset (acquired February 2024), which collectively produce award-winning cheddar, whey protein ingredients, and specialist chilled dairy products. The co-operative's registered office is in Glasgow, with operations spanning England, Wales, and Scotland.
The business model is anchored on three revenue streams: raw milk and dairy ingredient sales to enterprise food manufacturers — Nestlé is the largest raw milk customer — via a B2B direct sales motion with dedicated account management; cheese and dairy ingredient production, including the Golden Hooves regenerative cheddar brand and co-manufacturing for growth markets such as gut health and home meal solutions; and member premium payments that combine base milk pricing with regenerative farming incentives. Distribution is primarily domestic through direct enterprise sales, with a smaller international export channel via trade shows such as Gulfood.
The company's competitive differentiation sits on a regenerative farming programme covering ~89,977 hectares, with individually tailored Regenerative Farm Plans, proprietary soil carbon analysis via the Agricarbon partnership, nutrient footprinting with Farm Carbon Toolkit, and satellite water risk mapping from Senus. These capabilities underpin B Corp certification, the King's Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development, and the £46.8 million in cumulative capital investments recently deployed, including a £16.8 million Lake District Creamery expansion that will lift capacity by 20%. The business is in active transition following the announced retirement of CEO Shelagh Hancock in early 2027 after a decade leading the co-operative.
First Milk firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- First Milk
- Legal name
- First Milk Limited
- Website
- https://firstmilk.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative that processes milk from ~700 UK farming families at three sites into cheese, whey protein ingredients, and chilled dairy products for enterprise food manufacturers — chiefly Nestlé — with a differentiation strategy built on regenerative farming and verified sustainability credentials.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
First Milk industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Dairy Products Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Dairy Product Manufacturing (3115), Dairy Product (except Frozen) Manufacturing (31151), Fluid Milk Manufacturing (311511), Cheese Manufacturing (311513)
- SIC
- Dairy Products (2020)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fluid Milk & Cream Processing (AFAKAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Organic & Specialty-Claim Fluid Milk Processing (Organic, A2, Grass-Fed) (AFAHAAAH)
Keywords
Where First Milk is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paisley
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
First Milk business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Raw Milk Sales: First Milk processes milk from member farms at three UK sites and sells raw milk to major customers including Nestlé, the largest raw milk customer. Revenue generated through milk pricing per litre.
- Cheese Production and Sales: Award-winning cheese production including cheddar under the Golden Hooves brand, sold to food manufacturers, food service operators, and retail customers. Also co-manufacturing capabilities for growth markets.
- Specialist Dairy Ingredients: Production and sale of whey protein and dairy ingredients, including strategic partnership with Arla Foods Ingredients for whey protein processing.
- Member Premium Payments: Payments to farmer members include base milk price plus member premium, with additional regenerative farming incentives and payments tied to environmental outcomes.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Manufacturing Standard Litre Price - varies by month |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Manufacturing Standard Litre (June 2026) |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
First Milk product offering
Product offeringCore offering
First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative that processes milk from approximately 700 member farming families at three UK production sites (Lake District Creamery in Cumbria, Haverfordwest Creamery in Pembrokeshire, and BV Dairy in Dorset) into award-winning cheddar and other cheeses, specialist dairy ingredients including whey protein, and fresh chilled dairy products for sale to major food manufacturers, food service operators and retail customers. The co-operative's primary raw milk customer is Nestlé.
Product overview
First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative operating as a unified product portfolio centered on dairy production and processing. The core offering includes award-winning cheese, specialist dairy ingredients, and fresh dairy products produced at three UK sites (Lake District Creamery, Haverfordwest Creamery, and BV Dairy). These are supplemented by a range of sustainability and regenerative farming services including nutrient footprinting, water risk mapping, soil carbon analysis, and the Regenerative Farming Programme. The company also markets the Golden Hooves sub-brand of regenerative cheddar cheese. The portfolio is structured around dairy production capabilities enhanced by sustainability-focused modules and tools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- First Milk Award-Winning Cheese Cheddar and other cheeses produced at Lake District Creamery (Aspatria, Cumbria) and Haverfordwest Creamery (Pembrokeshire), named Supreme Champion at Global Cheese Awards twice in four years and winning multiple Gold awards at International Cheese and Dairy Awards. Sold to food manufacturers, food service operators, and retail customers throughout the UK and in export markets.
- Specialist Dairy Ingredients and Whey Protein Whey protein and specialist dairy ingredients produced at Lake District Creamery through a strategic partnership with Arla Foods Ingredients. Used by food manufacturers in growing markets including gut health and home meal solutions.
- BV Dairy Specialist Chilled Dairy Products Specialist chilled dairy products manufactured at BV Dairy in Shaftesbury, Dorset (acquired February 2024). Serves food manufacturing and food service customers throughout England, Wales and Scotland, with co-manufacturing opportunities in home meal solutions and gut health sectors.
- Golden Hooves Regenerative Cheddar A regenerative brand of cheddar cheese made from milk produced through regenerative farming practices, marketed to retail customers and consumers to communicate First Milk's environmental credentials.
- Raw Milk Supply Raw milk processed from member farms and sold directly to major customers including Nestlé (largest raw milk customer, supplied to factories in Dalston and Girvan). Milk priced per litre on monthly manufacturing standard litre basis (July 2026: 31.35ppl).
Quantifiable outcome
- Target: 100,000 tonnes CO2e sequestered per annum by 2025
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use First Milk
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
First Milk technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
First Milk partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- T.P. Niven and Wm. ArmstrongcoreLogistics partners for milk collection from farms in Cumbria and Ayrshire to Nestlé factories. Partners in HVO fuel switch initiative that cut 1,000 tonnes CO2e annually from milk transport.
- NestléflagshipNestlé and First Milk launched Young Dairy Leaders initiative in 2026 to support young dairy farmers with mentoring, business guidance, and financial assistance. Nestlé is First Milk's largest raw milk customer. Partnership includes Nestlé Regenerative Milk Plan, HVO fuel funding for milk transport (cutting 1,000 tonnes CO2e annually), and collaborative sustainability initiatives. First Milk supplies raw milk to Nestlé factories in Dalston and Girvan.
- Tom Parker CreameryminorPartnership for sourcing regeneratively farmed milk from farmers within 90-mile radius of Tom Parker Creamery's Wincanton site. Supports regenerative agriculture commitments and nature-positive farming practices.
- BV DairyflagshipBV Dairy (Blackmore Vale Farm Cream Limited) acquired by First Milk in February 2024. Dorset-based manufacturer of specialist chilled dairy products servicing customers throughout England, Wales and Scotland. Offers comprehensive end-to-end solution for food manufacturing and food service, with co-manufacturing opportunities in home meal solutions and gut health sectors. BV Dairy achieved B Corp certification in 2026.
- Arla Foods IngredientscoreStrategic whey protein partnership where First Milk processes whey at Lake District Creamery for Arla Foods Ingredients, supporting growing global demand for high-protein dairy products. The partnership includes investments at Lake District Creamery linked to the whey processing capability.
- Ornua Foods UKcoreLong-standing partnership continued for cheese marketing and distribution. Ornua is the marketing and trading business for Irish dairy co-operatives.
- AgricarboncoreSoil carbon analysis partnership using proprietary automated soil carbon analysis (ASCA) method. To date, Agricarbon has collected samples from 18,500+ hectares across nearly 4,000 fields, taking 56,000+ soil cores to 1m depth. Analysis shows approximately 2 million tonnes of soil carbon stock. Project supports First Milk's target to sequester 100,000 tonnes CO2e per year by 2025.
- Farm Carbon ToolkitcoreSustainability partner for regenerative farming programme including nutrient footprinting development. Provides workshops, soil health assessment, and expertise for Regenerative Pioneer Farm programme. Collaborated on carbon calculator tools and farm carbon measurement.
- University of South WalesminorWHEY2BUILD research project partnership converting dairy-processing whey waste into sustainable construction materials. Funded by EPSRC Place Based Impact Acceleration Account. Offers Welsh dairy producers potential new income stream from by-products.
- 8point9 Training and EducationcoreTraining partner for Young Dairy Leaders programme developed with First Milk and Nestlé. Provides practical learning curriculum for next generation dairy farmers focusing on business performance and personal growth.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
First Milk competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Müller Milk & Ingredients: One of the largest UK dairy processors, supplying liquid milk, butter, cream, cheese and yogurt to retailers and foodservice. Directly comparable to First Milk on UK B2B dairy processing scale and customer base, though privately held by Theo Müller rather than farmer-owned.
- Arla Foods: Farmer-owned dairy cooperative and one of the largest dairy producers in Europe, with substantial UK operations covering liquid milk, cheese and whey ingredients. Most directly comparable to First Milk given its cooperative structure, raw milk supply base, and whey protein ingredients business (Arla Foods Ingredients), which is itself a strategic partner of First Milk.
- Wyke Farms: One of the UK's largest independent cheese makers, producing cheddar and other cheeses for retail and export. Comparable on UK cheddar manufacturing scale, branded cheese presence and export ambitions, though family-owned rather than cooperative.
- Lakeland Dairies: Irish farmer-owned dairy cooperative producing milk, butter, cheese and dairy powders across Ireland, the UK and international markets. Comparable cooperative model and similar focus on value-added cheese and ingredients versus commodity milk.
- Meadow Foods: UK dairy ingredients supplier producing milk powders, butter, cream and cheese proteins for food manufacturers. Comparable on B2B dairy ingredients focus and UK supply base, though not a cooperative.
- Glanbia Ireland: Irish farmer-owned dairy and nutrition cooperative with a strong ingredients and cheese portfolio including whey proteins and cheddar. Closely comparable to First Milk in cooperative governance, dairy ingredient focus, and ambitions in performance and functional nutrition.
- OMSCo (Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative): UK farmer-owned dairy cooperative supplying organic and specialist dairy to processors and retailers. Comparable on cooperative structure and sustainability-led differentiation, though narrower organic focus versus First Milk's regenerative positioning.
Broad incumbents
- FrieslandCampina: Large Dutch farmer-owned dairy cooperative with global dairy and ingredients operations including whey proteins. Comparable cooperative model and ingredients focus, but operates at much greater scale and across multiple continents than First Milk.
- Saputo Dairy UK: UK arm of Canadian dairy giant Saputo, which acquired Dairy Crest and produces cheese (including Cathedral City cheddar) and dairy ingredients. Comparable on UK cheddar and ingredients production, but operates as a global corporate rather than a cooperative.
Emerging players
- Barber's Farmhouse Cheese: UK farmhouse cheddar maker with strong retail presence and award-winning cheeses. Comparable on UK cheddar manufacturing and branded cheese retail exposure, though significantly smaller scale than First Milk.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
First Milk social profiles
Digital presenceFirst Milk compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
First Milk financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
First Milk leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
First Milk subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
First Milk funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
First Milk M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about First Milk
What does First Milk do?
First Milk is a British farmer-owned dairy co-operative that processes milk from approximately 700 member farming families at three UK production sites (Lake District Creamery in Cumbria, Haverfordwest Creamery in Pembrokeshire, and BV Dairy in Dorset) into award-winning cheddar and other cheeses, specialist dairy ingredients including whey protein, and fresh chilled dairy products for sale to major food manufacturers, food service operators and retail customers. The co-operative's primary raw milk customer is Nestlé.
Is First Milk a public or private company?
First Milk is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was First Milk founded?
First Milk was founded in -1. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is First Milk based?
First Milk is headquartered in Paisley, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does First Milk make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Raw Milk Sales are the primary driver. The others are cheese Production and Sales, specialist Dairy Ingredients and member Premium Payments.
Who are First Milk's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Müller Milk & Ingredients, Arla Foods, Wyke Farms, Lakeland Dairies, Meadow Foods, Glanbia Ireland and OMSCo (Organic Milk Suppliers Cooperative). Broad incumbents are FrieslandCampina and Saputo Dairy UK. Barber's Farmhouse Cheese is listed as an emerging player.
Does First Milk have an API?
No public API is recorded for First Milk.
What industry is First Milk in?
First Milk's product category is Dairy Products Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAKAKAA, Fluid Milk & Cream Processing, with a secondary code of AFAHAAAH, Organic & Specialty-Claim Fluid Milk Processing (Organic, A2, Grass-Fed). Its NAICS code is 3115 and its SIC code is 2020.