VFC co-founder Adam Lyons has returned to take a “hands-on leadership position” at VFC Foods.
VFC Foods, made up of Meatless Farm and VFC, is becoming a separate entity from The Vegan Food Group, The Grocer understands.
The full separation will be completed over the coming weeks and was designed to simplify the structure and enable a sharper focus on execution, supply chain stability and long-term sustainable growth, Lyons said.
VFC Foods is now dual funded by its original investor and Lyons, which, he said, “gives us real stability and clarity”.
Lyons left the business in April 2024 but has returned “assuming full operational and strategic control”.
“My return is centred on stabilisation across operations, finance, and commercial delivery,” said Lyons. “The business is now governed, funded, and managed independently, with clear accountability and direct leadership.
“VFC Foods Ltd continues to trade as normal and is working closely with retail and manufacturing partners to drive improved operational performance.”
According to VFC Foods’ latest accounts, the business has racked up losses of more than £18m in its history. Meanwhile, former parent company The Vegan Food Group’s accounts are now overdue.
Plans for the brands
Meatless Farm, which was rescued from administration by VFC in June 2023, will continue to be stocked in the major multiples. It announced last week the reformulation of its Signature Burger and the launch of its Crispy Nuggets.
According to The Grocer’s Top Products report, Meatless Farm saw sales decline by 4.7% last year compared with the year before.
Meanwhile, VFC has been temporarily withdrawn from the market, which was a “difficult but deliberate decision”.
The brand will undergo a full reformulation programme to address concerns around ultra-processed foods.
“We do not want to be part of the UPF problem – we want to be part of the solution,” said Lyons. “VFC will be repositioned and relaunched in 2027 with this ambition at its core.”
Read more: Vegan Food Group’s founders on building ‘the vegan Unilever’
The separation of VFC comes as part of a wider restructuring of the group, with the business shutting down Clive’s Purely Plants.
Reports in British Baker said VFG had decided to close the bakery in Dartmouth, leading to 32 redundancies at the end of last year. It has also closed its head office in York as it shifts its focus to its plant-based factory in Germany.
Matthew Glover, director of The Vegan Food Group, has been approached for comment.
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