Leathams

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.

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

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

• Food distribution services
• Specialty food supply
• B2B food wholesale
• Food ingredients supply
• Foodservice distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. 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

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Booker UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey 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.
• CaterforcecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor UK wholesaler partner. Leathams is a key player within Caterforce along with other major wholesalers.
• Pilgrim Food ServicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor UK wholesaler partner. Leathams is a key player within Pilgrim Food Service along with other major wholesalers.
• HoldsworthcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMajor UK wholesaler partner. Leathams is a key player within Holdsworth along with other major wholesalers.
• Merchant GourmetcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLeathams 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 FoodsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeparate 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

Direct 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

• Xx.com/LeathamsLtd
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCQAIT5ddKdvSin5Q8yAVQXw
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leathams-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/leathams_ltd

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leathams