Leathams
Leathams is a privately held UK branded specialist food supplier founded in 1980, distributing several thousand proprietary and third-party food products across ambient, chilled, and frozen categories to food manufacturers, wholesalers, restaurants, and food-to-go operators.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1980
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Leathams does
Leathams is a privately held UK branded specialist food supplier and distributor founded in 1980 by Mark and Oliver Leatham, originally supplying game and smoked salmon to London restaurants. The company now offers several thousand products across ambient, chilled, and frozen categories, combining seven registered proprietary brands (SunBlush, Roquito, Charcuti, La Fresca, CherryBell, Chefs Brigade, Brital Foods) with distributed ranges such as Merchant Gourmet. Procurement runs across 26 countries, and the company is the largest UK supplier of chestnuts, with proprietary processing capability in HPP avocado (La Fresca) and IQF grains.
The business operates a B2B go-to-market split into a Foodservice Division and an Ingredients Division, supported by Procurement, Technical (BRCGS AA+ accredited), and Project Management functions. Pricing is quote-based and non-public; customer service runs 7:30-17:00 Mon-Fri via a Nottingham-based team. Distribution flows through a mix of direct sales, the Booker UK anchor partnership (20+ years), other major wholesalers (Caterforce, Pilgrim Food Service, Holdsworth), and Cash & Carry routes to reach independent food manufacturers, restaurants, food-to-go operators, and QSRs across the UK.
Revenue mechanics rest on branded specialty food distribution at scale: own-brand IP drives margin, multi-channel wholesale partnerships drive volume, and a Project Management-led NPD pipeline sustains the brand portfolio. There are no disclosed funding rounds, M&A, subsidiaries, or public listing. Nick Hastilow is Group Managing Director; the Leathams founders are not in the active management team. Operations are UK-only, with no international sales footprint disclosed.
Leathams firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Leathams
- Legal name
- Leathams LTD
- Website
- https://leathams.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1980
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Leathams is a privately held UK branded specialist food supplier founded in 1980, distributing several thousand proprietary and third-party food products across ambient, chilled, and frozen categories to food manufacturers, wholesalers, restaurants, and food-to-go operators.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Leathams industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Food Distribution
- NAICS
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (424480), Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Merchant Wholesalers (42448)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Canned, Fruits, Veg, Preserves, Jams & Jellies (2033)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private-Label / Own-Brand Broadline Distributors (AFAIAAAI)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAAAI), Ingredients, Spices & Culinary Supplies Distribution (CRAOABAK), Refrigerated/Chilled Foods Wholesale (Deli, Prepared, Fresh Pasta, etc.) (AFAIAHAB), Broadline Grocery & General Line Wholesale (AFAIABAA)
Keywords
Where Leathams is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Leathams business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- B2B Food Distribution: Distribution of food products to commercial customers including food manufacturers, wholesale/cash & carry operators, restaurants, and food-to-go outlets. Products sold include ambient, chilled, and frozen food categories across multiple brands.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | B2B food product sales - quote-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Leathams product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Leathams is a B2B branded specialist food supplier that distributes several thousand innovative, high-quality food products across ambient, chilled and frozen temperature categories to food manufacturers, wholesale and cash & carry operators, fast food outlets, and end-user restaurants in the UK. The company owns and supplies a portfolio of proprietary brands including SunBlush, Charcuti, Chefs Brigade, Roquito, La Fresca, CherryBell and Brital Foods, and is the UK distributor for the Merchant Gourmet range, also being the largest supplier of chestnuts to the UK.
Product overview
Leathams is a branded specialist food supplier operating since 1980, serving the Foodservice, Food Manufacturing, and Retail Grocery market channels. The company offers a portfolio of proprietary food brands including SunBlush® (slow-roasted tomatoes), Charcuti® (European charcuterie), Chefs Brigade® (professional chef solutions), Roquito® (chilli pepper products), La Fresca® (avocado solutions), and CherryBell® (chilli peppers). Leathams also distributes the Merchant Gourmet® range of grains and pulses. Product categories span tomatoes, peppers and olives; value-added vegetables and avocados; chestnuts (largest UK supplier); charcuterie; grains and pulses; plant-based options; oils, sauces and condiments; dairy and eggs; premium meat and fish; and sweet and baked goods. The company supplies food manufacturers, wholesale and cash & carry operators, restaurants, and food-to-go outlets across the UK.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Brital Foods: Frozen and ready-to-eat Mediterranean foods
- Charcuti
- Chefs Brigade
- CherryBell
- La Fresca
- Merchant Gourmet
- Roquito
- SunBlush
Products and services
- SunBlush
- Charcuti
- Chefs Brigade
- Roquito
- La Fresca
- CherryBell
- Brital Foods
- Merchant Gourmet Distribution
- Chestnuts Supply
- Grains and Pulses Range
- Oils, Sauces and Condiments Range
- Premium Meat and Fish
- Dairy and Eggs Range
- Value Added Vegetables and Avocados
Quantifiable outcome
- 82% growth in chilled category business over 4 years with Booker UK
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use Leathams
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Leathams technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Leathams partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Booker UKcoreKey partner and supplier to Booker UK for over 20+ years. Prominent brands have grown significantly with Booker, covering all three temperature controls (ambient, chilled, frozen). The chilled category business has grown 82% over the past 4 years with Booker.
- CaterforcecoreMajor UK wholesaler partner. Leathams is a key player within Caterforce along with other major wholesalers.
- Pilgrim Food ServicecoreMajor UK wholesaler partner. Leathams is a key player within Pilgrim Food Service along with other major wholesalers.
- HoldsworthcoreMajor UK wholesaler partner. Leathams is a key player within Holdsworth along with other major wholesalers.
- Merchant GourmetcoreLeathams is proud to be distributors for the total Merchant Gourmet range. Full product details available through Leathams. Products include IQF grains, lentils, mushrooms, rice, quinoa, couscous, and ready-to-eat pouches.
- Brital FoodsminorSeparate brand entity focused on frozen and ready-to-eat Mediterranean foods. Has its own website at britalfoods.co.uk. Part of Leathams' branded product portfolio.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Leathams competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Wellocks: UK premium foodservice supplier specialising in fresh, seasonal, and artisanal ingredients for high-end restaurants and chefs. Directly comparable to Leathams on premium/specialty positioning, restaurant customer base, and chef-focused brand development.
- Brakes Group: UK broadline foodservice distributor supplying restaurants, pubs, hotels, and care homes across ambient, chilled, and frozen categories. Directly comparable to Leathams in foodservice channel coverage and multi-temperature distribution, though operating at significantly larger scale with broader SKU depth.
- Henderson Foodservice: Northern Ireland-based foodservice wholesaler distributing across the UK and Ireland to restaurants, hotels, and caterers. Comparable to Leathams in B2B foodservice distribution and multi-temperature handling, with regional rather than London-centric geography.
- RH Amar: UK family-owned specialty food importer and distributor focused on Mediterranean and fine foods (charcuterie, oils, antipasti) for foodservice and retail. Closely mirrors Leathams' Charcuti/Roquito/SunBlush portfolio and UK foodservice + retail distribution model.
- Bidfood: One of the UK's largest foodservice wholesalers (formerly 3663 and Bidvest Foodservice), serving caterers, restaurants, and public-sector kitchens. Direct peer in UK broadline and specialty foodservice distribution; overlaps with Leathams on Caterforce group relationships and customer segments.
- Meadow Vale Foods: UK-based foodservice supplier specialising in poultry, game, and value-added proteins for the catering and food manufacturing sectors. Comparable to Leathams' premium meat and fish category and food-manufacturer ingredient supply channel.
Broad incumbents
- Booker Group: UK's largest wholesaler to caterers, retailers, and small businesses (Tesco-owned). Functions simultaneously as Leathams' largest wholesale customer and a broad-line competitor offering own-brand foodservice ranges; included as a broad incumbent given the dual relationship.
- Sysco Corporation: Global foodservice distribution leader with UK operations (post-Brakes acquisition). Broad incumbent in the same industry as Leathams; offers overlapping foodservice capabilities but as part of a much wider portfolio, not specialising in the UK's premium specialty niche.
Emerging players
- Essential Cuisine: UK supplier of stocks, sauces, gravies, and culinary ingredients for professional chefs. Comparable to Leathams' Chefs Brigade and Ingredients Division positioning, focusing on chef-grade ingredient solutions in foodservice.
- Walter Rose & Son: Wiltshire-based specialty meat and game supplier serving restaurants, butchers, and hotels with heritage, traceability, and provenance-led positioning. Comparable to Leathams' founding heritage (game and smoked salmon, 1980) and premium meat/charcuterie range.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Leathams social profiles
Digital presenceLeathams compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Leathams financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Leathams leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Leathams funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Leathams M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Leathams
What does Leathams do?
Leathams is a B2B branded specialist food supplier that distributes several thousand innovative, high-quality food products across ambient, chilled and frozen temperature categories to food manufacturers, wholesale and cash & carry operators, fast food outlets, and end-user restaurants in the UK. The company owns and supplies a portfolio of proprietary brands including SunBlush, Charcuti, Chefs Brigade, Roquito, La Fresca, CherryBell and Brital Foods, and is the UK distributor for the Merchant Gourmet range, also being the largest supplier of chestnuts to the UK.
Is Leathams a public or private company?
Leathams is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Leathams founded?
Leathams was founded in 1980. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Leathams based?
Leathams is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Leathams make money?
One revenue line is on record: B2B Food Distribution.
Who are Leathams's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Wellocks, Brakes Group, Henderson Foodservice, RH Amar, Bidfood and Meadow Vale Foods. Broad incumbents are Booker Group and Sysco Corporation. Emerging players are Essential Cuisine and Walter Rose & Son.
Does Leathams have an API?
No public API is recorded for Leathams.
What industry is Leathams in?
Leathams's product category is Specialty Food Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIAAAI, Private-Label / Own-Brand Broadline Distributors, with a secondary code of CRAOAAAI, Specialty & Gourmet Foods Wholesale Distribution. Its NAICS code is 424480 and its SIC code is 5141.