Irish food ingredients company Kerry Group has bought Noon Products, the UK’s largest supplier of Indian and Thai ready meals, for £124m.

Frank Hayes, director of corporate affairs at Kerry Group said: “This acquisition consolidates our position as leaders in the fast-growing Asian sub-category. People are looking for authentic, restaurant-quality foods and these meals meet the needs of both supermarkets and consumers.”

Noon Products’ chairman, Sir Gulam Noon, is expected to take on an ambassadorial role at Kerry Group.