Developer docs
API playgroundTry for free, no card

Search company profiles

Leatherhead Food Research

Full company profile

uuid000msxn

Namestring
Leatherhead Food Research
Legal namestring
Leatherhead Food Research
Websiteurl
leatherheadfood.com
Company typeenum
Private
Founded yearint
1919
Descriptiontext

Leatherhead Food Research is a UK-based scientific and regulatory consultancy delivering research, compliance, and technical advisory services to organizations developing and commercializing regulated products. Its core offering spans regulatory strategy, evidence generation, market access, and ongoing compliance support across food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, and chemicals, with operating reach across the UK, EU, and North America. The firm serves global multinationals, high-growth innovators, and government bodies, indicating an enterprise-level client base requiring deeply specialized expertise.

The business has operated for over 35 years within the regulatory and scientific consulting space and traces its origins to 1919 in food-related research. It now operates as a division of Sagentia Regulatory (formerly TSG Consulting), which is the professional services arm of Science Group plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Within Sagentia, Leatherhead Food Research sits alongside complementary practices in Innovation, Medical, Defence, and Aviation, enabling cross-disciplinary client engagement.

Revenue is generated through professional services engagements priced on a quote basis tailored to project scope, with the firm executing multi-year regulatory programmes for clients. The go-to-market relies on direct enterprise engagement with executive teams and R&D leadership, complemented by industry conferences and referrals rather than mass marketing. As a wholly integrated unit of a public-listed parent, the entity does not disclose standalone financials, and its revenue mechanics are best understood in the context of Sagentia Regulatory's broader service portfolio.

Short descriptiontext

Leatherhead Food Research is a UK-based scientific and regulatory consultancy serving global food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobial, and chemical product companies. Operating within Sagentia Regulatory under Science Group plc, it provides regulatory strategy, compliance, and evidence generation services.

Operating statusenum
Operating
Ownership categoryenum
akta.pro rankint
HeadquartersEpsom, United Kingdom
HQ citystring
Epsom
HQ countrystring
United Kingdom
HQ regionstring
Europe
Markets served

Serves global market

Offices1 record

Each record includes

City, Country, Type, Description, Source

Keyword5 values
food regulatory consulting, scientific research services, beverage compliance, feed industry consulting, chemical regulatory affairs
SIC code1 code
  • Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research8731
Product category
Food Regulatory Consulting
Social media profiles2 records
GTM motion1 record

Each record includes

Type, Description, Source

Revenue model1 record
1Professional Services Consultancy
TypeProfessional Services
Description

Revenue is generated through consulting engagements providing regulatory and scientific expertise to organizations developing and commercializing regulated products. Services span regulatory strategy, compliance, evidence generation, and technical consulting across food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, and chemicals markets.

sagentia.com
Marketing channels1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Stage, Description, Source

Distribution channels1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Scope, Target buyer, Description, Source

Cost components4 values
Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
GTM typeB2B
B2B
Offering typeServices
Services
Core offering1 text field

Leatherhead Food Research is a regulatory and scientific consultancy supporting organisations developing and commercialising regulated products. It delivers professional consulting services across food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, and chemicals markets, helping clients secure, maintain and extend market access across the UK, EU, and North America.

Differentiator
Functional benefit
Problem solved
Product overview1 text field

Leatherhead Food Research operates as part of Sagentia Regulatory, the regulatory and scientific consultancy division of Science Group plc. The offering consists of professional consulting services for regulated products across plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, chemicals, and food, beverage and feed markets. Leatherhead Food Research specifically supports food, beverage and feed regulatory activities, delivered alongside broader Sagentia practices including Innovation, Medical, Defence, and Aviation consultancies.

Product and service2 records
1Sagentia Regulatory (incorporating Leatherhead Food Research)
CategoryRegulatory and scientific consultancy
Description

A regulatory and scientific consultancy supporting organisations developing and commercialising regulated products worldwide, covering plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, chemicals, and food, beverage and feed markets. Operating across the UK, EU and North America with 35+ years of experience.

2Food, Beverage and Feed Regulatory Services
CategoryFood regulatory consulting
Description

Regulatory support services for food, beverage and feed markets, delivered as part of Sagentia Regulatory's global regulatory activities. Provides compliance, market access, and product commercialisation guidance for food industry clients.

Scale indicator2 records

Each record includes

Type, Value, Description, Source

Partnership1 partner
1Science Group plc
Strategic tierCoreTypeOthers
Description

Leatherhead Food Research is incorporated into Sagentia Regulatory, which is the professional services division of Science Group plc. Science Group plc is an international science and technology consultancy and systems organisation. The relationship is parent-subsidiary, with Leatherhead Food Research operating as part of the Sagentia brand within Science Group.

Recent move4 records

Each record includes

Date, Type, Title, Description, Source

Expansion highlight3 records

Each record includes

Type, Description

Peers10 records
1Campden BRI
TypeDirect peer
Description

UK-based food and drink research organisation providing scientific research, regulatory support, and training to the food and beverage industry. Closest direct peer given overlapping food-research heritage, UK base, and member-driven food/feed regulatory and technical services model.

2Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL)
TypeDirect peer
Description

UK-based scientific and consultancy services provider for the food, drink, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Direct competitor in food/feed analytical testing, regulatory consultancy and training with a similar enterprise client base.

3Fera Science
TypeDirect peer
Description

UK-based food, environmental and agricultural science services provider (formerly part of Defra). Highly comparable in offering regulatory and scientific consultancy across regulated product categories, particularly for agri-food and chemicals.

4Intertek
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Global testing, inspection and certification (TIC) major with a substantial food and agri-commodities practice. Competes in food testing, regulatory support and certification but at much greater scale and across many industries beyond food/feed.

5SGS
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

World's largest TIC company with extensive food, feed and agro-science services. Overlaps with Leatherhead on regulatory advisory and food safety testing but offers a far broader service portfolio across multiple industries.

6Bureau Veritas
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Global TIC group with agri-food and commodity testing capabilities. Comparable to Leatherhead for food/feed regulatory and laboratory services, but Bureau Veritas operates across many verticals and at substantially larger scale.

7Eurofins Scientific
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Global leader in food, feed and environmental testing with extensive laboratory network. Overlaps in food regulatory and contaminant testing services, though Eurofins is primarily lab-based rather than a regulatory strategy consultancy.

8Mérieux NutriSciences
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

International food safety, quality and regulatory services provider. Comparable in food safety testing, regulatory affairs consulting and labelling services for food and beverage manufacturers globally.

9NSF International
TypeBroad incumbent
Description

Global public health and safety organisation offering food safety certification, testing and regulatory consulting. Comparable to Leatherhead for food/feed regulatory advisory and compliance services, especially in North America.

10TSG Consulting
TypeOthers
Description

Former name of the Sagentia Regulatory practice that now houses Leatherhead Food Research; while not a separate competing entity, it is the historical brand and operating context for current Leatherhead activities, making it the closest reference point.

Market position
Strengths4 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Weaknesses4 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Competitive moat4 records

Each record includes

Type, Details

Key risks6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Key highlights6 records

Each record includes

Headline, Details, Source

Customer concentration

Classification, Details

Segment1 record

Each record includes

Title, Type, Primary, Description, Pain point addressed, Use case, Source

Ideal customer profile1 record

Each record includes

Profile, Firmographic size, Sales motion, Sales cycle length, Buying structure, Purchase trigger, Buyer persona, Geography, Industry vertical, Primary use case, Description, Pain points, Evidence proof points, Target buyer

Technology focused
No
API detail
Has APIbool
No

Docs URL, Description

AI maturity
App detail

Has app

Core technology
Revenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Number of profiles
No data
No data
Funding overview

Funding stage, Last funding date, Total funding USD

Funding rounds

Each record includes

Round, Amount USD, Date, Pre money valuation, Total investors, Investors, News

Investors

Each record includes

Name, Type, Date of entry, Rounds participated, Website

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

M&A

Each record includes

Name, Acquisition type, Announced date, Completed date, Status, Website, News

Investment

Each record includes

Name, Round, Announced date, Lead investor, Website, News

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

Leatherhead Food Research

Food Regulatory Consultingleatherheadfood.com

Leatherhead Food Research is a UK-based scientific and regulatory consultancy serving global food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobial, and chemical product companies. Operating within Sagentia Regulatory under Science Group plc, it provides regulatory strategy, compliance, and evidence generation services.

What Leatherhead Food Research does

Leatherhead Food Research is a UK-based scientific and regulatory consultancy delivering research, compliance, and technical advisory services to organizations developing and commercializing regulated products. Its core offering spans regulatory strategy, evidence generation, market access, and ongoing compliance support across food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, and chemicals, with operating reach across the UK, EU, and North America. The firm serves global multinationals, high-growth innovators, and government bodies, indicating an enterprise-level client base requiring deeply specialized expertise.

The business has operated for over 35 years within the regulatory and scientific consulting space and traces its origins to 1919 in food-related research. It now operates as a division of Sagentia Regulatory (formerly TSG Consulting), which is the professional services arm of Science Group plc, a company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Within Sagentia, Leatherhead Food Research sits alongside complementary practices in Innovation, Medical, Defence, and Aviation, enabling cross-disciplinary client engagement.

Revenue is generated through professional services engagements priced on a quote basis tailored to project scope, with the firm executing multi-year regulatory programmes for clients. The go-to-market relies on direct enterprise engagement with executive teams and R&D leadership, complemented by industry conferences and referrals rather than mass marketing. As a wholly integrated unit of a public-listed parent, the entity does not disclose standalone financials, and its revenue mechanics are best understood in the context of Sagentia Regulatory's broader service portfolio.

Leatherhead Food Research firmographics

Firmographics
Name
Leatherhead Food Research
Legal name
Leatherhead Food Research
Website
https://leatherheadfood.com
Company type
Private
Founded year
1919
Operating status
Operating
Short description
Leatherhead Food Research is a UK-based scientific and regulatory consultancy serving global food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobial, and chemical product companies. Operating within Sagentia Regulatory under Science Group plc, it provides regulatory strategy, compliance, and evidence generation services.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

Where Leatherhead Food Research is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city
Epsom
HQ country
United Kingdom
HQ region
Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

Leatherhead Food Research business model

Business model
GTM type
B2B
Offering type
Services
Cost components
Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

  1. Professional Services Consultancy: Revenue is generated through consulting engagements providing regulatory and scientific expertise to organizations developing and commercializing regulated products. Services span regulatory strategy, compliance, evidence generation, and technical consulting across food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, and chemicals markets.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels1 record

Leatherhead Food Research product offering

Product offering

Core offering

Leatherhead Food Research is a regulatory and scientific consultancy supporting organisations developing and commercialising regulated products. It delivers professional consulting services across food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, and chemicals markets, helping clients secure, maintain and extend market access across the UK, EU, and North America.

Product overview

Leatherhead Food Research operates as part of Sagentia Regulatory, the regulatory and scientific consultancy division of Science Group plc. The offering consists of professional consulting services for regulated products across plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, chemicals, and food, beverage and feed markets. Leatherhead Food Research specifically supports food, beverage and feed regulatory activities, delivered alongside broader Sagentia practices including Innovation, Medical, Defence, and Aviation consultancies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

  • Sagentia Regulatory (incorporating Leatherhead Food Research) A regulatory and scientific consultancy supporting organisations developing and commercialising regulated products worldwide, covering plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, chemicals, and food, beverage and feed markets. Operating across the UK, EU and North America with 35+ years of experience.
  • Food, Beverage and Feed Regulatory Services Regulatory support services for food, beverage and feed markets, delivered as part of Sagentia Regulatory's global regulatory activities. Provides compliance, market access, and product commercialisation guidance for food industry clients.

Companies that use Leatherhead Food Research

Customer profile

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Leatherhead Food Research technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API
No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Leatherhead Food Research partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

  • Science Group plccoreOthersLeatherhead Food Research is incorporated into Sagentia Regulatory, which is the professional services division of Science Group plc. Science Group plc is an international science and technology consultancy and systems organisation. The relationship is parent-subsidiary, with Leatherhead Food Research operating as part of the Sagentia brand within Science Group.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Leatherhead Food Research competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

  • Campden BRI: UK-based food and drink research organisation providing scientific research, regulatory support, and training to the food and beverage industry. Closest direct peer given overlapping food-research heritage, UK base, and member-driven food/feed regulatory and technical services model.
  • Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL): UK-based scientific and consultancy services provider for the food, drink, pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors. Direct competitor in food/feed analytical testing, regulatory consultancy and training with a similar enterprise client base.
  • Fera Science: UK-based food, environmental and agricultural science services provider (formerly part of Defra). Highly comparable in offering regulatory and scientific consultancy across regulated product categories, particularly for agri-food and chemicals.

Broad incumbents

  • Intertek: Global testing, inspection and certification (TIC) major with a substantial food and agri-commodities practice. Competes in food testing, regulatory support and certification but at much greater scale and across many industries beyond food/feed.
  • SGS: World's largest TIC company with extensive food, feed and agro-science services. Overlaps with Leatherhead on regulatory advisory and food safety testing but offers a far broader service portfolio across multiple industries.
  • Bureau Veritas: Global TIC group with agri-food and commodity testing capabilities. Comparable to Leatherhead for food/feed regulatory and laboratory services, but Bureau Veritas operates across many verticals and at substantially larger scale.
  • Eurofins Scientific: Global leader in food, feed and environmental testing with extensive laboratory network. Overlaps in food regulatory and contaminant testing services, though Eurofins is primarily lab-based rather than a regulatory strategy consultancy.
  • Mérieux NutriSciences: International food safety, quality and regulatory services provider. Comparable in food safety testing, regulatory affairs consulting and labelling services for food and beverage manufacturers globally.
  • NSF International: Global public health and safety organisation offering food safety certification, testing and regulatory consulting. Comparable to Leatherhead for food/feed regulatory advisory and compliance services, especially in North America.

Others

  • TSG Consulting: Former name of the Sagentia Regulatory practice that now houses Leatherhead Food Research; while not a separate competing entity, it is the historical brand and operating context for current Leatherhead activities, making it the closest reference point.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Leatherhead Food Research social profiles

Digital presence

Leatherhead Food Research financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Leatherhead Food Research leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Leatherhead Food Research funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

Leatherhead Food Research M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Leatherhead Food Research

What does Leatherhead Food Research do?

Leatherhead Food Research is a regulatory and scientific consultancy supporting organisations developing and commercialising regulated products. It delivers professional consulting services across food, beverage, feed, plant protection, biocides, antimicrobials, and chemicals markets, helping clients secure, maintain and extend market access across the UK, EU, and North America.

Is Leatherhead Food Research a public or private company?

Leatherhead Food Research is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.

When was Leatherhead Food Research founded?

Leatherhead Food Research was founded in 1919.

Where is Leatherhead Food Research based?

Leatherhead Food Research is headquartered in Epsom, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.

How does Leatherhead Food Research make money?

One revenue line is on record: professional Services Consultancy.

Who are Leatherhead Food Research's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Campden BRI, Reading Scientific Services Ltd (RSSL) and Fera Science. Broad incumbents are Intertek, SGS, Bureau Veritas, Eurofins Scientific, Mérieux NutriSciences and NSF International. TSG Consulting is listed as an others.

Does Leatherhead Food Research have an API?

No public API is recorded for Leatherhead Food Research.

Unlock the full company data

50 free credits on sign-up, no credit card required.

Contact sales
Live signals
WikipediaBritish Food Manufacturing Industries Research AssociationThe British Food Manufacturing Industries Research Association was a UK-based industrial research organization established in 1946, based in Leatherhead, Surrey. It conducted food research projects, employed 87 staff, and had nearly 700 members, before being rebranded as Leatherhead International in the 1990s and ceasing operations in 2016.beveragedaily.comGLP-1 beverage innovation outpaces regulation, creating challenges for drinks manufacturersLeatherhead Food Research has found that beverage innovation in the GLP-1 space is outpacing regulation, creating significant complexity and uncertainty for drinks manufacturers. The research analyzed 17 international markets and found that regulators worldwide have yet to establish frameworks defining how support foods and beverages for GLP-1 users should be classified, with labelling requirements varying significantly between jurisdictions. This regulatory uncertainty may cause some companies to become more cautious about innovating in this space, potentially leading to less novel product launches.beveragedaily.comGLP-1 beverage innovation outpaces regulation, creating challenges for drinks manufacturersLeatherhead Food Research warns that beverage manufacturers face significant regulatory uncertainty as they develop products targeting GLP-1 medication users. The research highlights a lack of harmonized frameworks across international markets, creating complexity for companies operating in multiple jurisdictions. This ambiguity may discourage innovation, leading firms to rely on familiar ingredients rather than exploring novel health benefits.PR NewswireLeatherhead Advises Members to Ensure They Are Prepared for Post-transition Brexit ScenariosLeatherhead Food Research is advising its member companies in the food and beverage industry to prepare for post-transition Brexit scenarios, noting continued uncertainty around future UK-EU regulatory alignment. The organization is promoting its membership services including Brexit webinars, dedicated newsletters, scenario planning workshops, and access to regulatory consultants. Commercial Director Mark Butcher stated that as regulatory divergence becomes clearer toward the end of 2020, regulatory services are likely to be in high demand, encouraging members to anticipate and plan for both likely and significant scenarios.PR NewswireGlobal Food and Beverage Trends Report From Leatherhead Food Research Points to New Growth DriversLeatherhead Food Research published its annual trends report for 2019, identifying a shift in the food and beverage industry toward integrating technical, nutritional and regulatory expertise earlier in the product development process. The report predicts that successful brands will place scientific and regulatory expertise at the heart of business growth alongside consumer and marketing functions. Leatherhead Food Research operates as part of Science Group plc, a publicly listed advisory and product development services company.PR NewswireTop Ten Homecooked Global Cuisines for 2019 Revealed by Leatherhead Food ResearchLeatherhead Food Research published a survey revealing that Italian and Indian cuisines were the most popular international dishes cooked at home in the UK during 2019, with 79% and 78% of respondents respectively having cooked dishes from these cuisines. The survey of 927 people also found that 70% of respondents claim to prepare more international dishes than in the past, rising to 82% among the 16-35 age group.PR Newswire"For Beauty Tech Success, Get Consumer Insight Right," Says R&D and Technology Development Specialist SagentiaSagentia and Leatherhead Food Research jointly conducted a consumer attitudes survey on beauty technology, polling 2,029 British adults in September 2019. The study found that 38% of respondents would be comfortable using a device or app to determine suitable products, with adoption intent rising to 25% within the next 12 months, showing notably higher receptiveness among younger adults aged 18-24. The two companies have released a free whitepaper titled 'Beauty Tech Unboxed' to help personal care and beauty brands align their technology innovation strategies with consumer preferences.Business InsiderScientists Create The Healthiest Meal EverScientists at Leatherhead Food Research created a three-course meal that satisfies 222 health claims approved by the European Food Safety Authority. The menu includes salmon terrine, salad, bread, chicken casserole, yogurt blancmange, charcoal tablets, and berry sports drinks. It was originally conceived as an airline meal but can be enjoyed at home.