Bidcorp UK welcomes Andy Farnworth as Bidfresh MD

Bidcorp UK has appointed Andy Farnworth as the new managing director of its fresh food division, Bidfresh.

From 1 July 2024, Farnworth will replace Brian Hall, who will retire this summer after nearly 20 years at the company.

Farnworth will be tasked with targets including aspirations to double the size of the business over the next five years.

He brings much experience with him, including 16 years at Fresh Direct, most recently serving as managing director for all of the UK’s fresh operations, and before that, sales and marketing director, overseeing a decade of revenue and profit growth.

Farnworth said he felt privileged to be the custodian of Bidfresh’s brands, adding: “Our proposition is truly unique in fresh foodservice. We have 10 independent businesses, led by local people, operating autonomously in their regional markets, each with a team of highly skilled fishmongers, butchers and greengrocers. They are essentially standalone SMEs with full autonomy, but they are backed by the support and investment from our parent Bidcorp UK. It is a powerful combination.”

Andrew Selley, chief executive of Bidcorp UK, said: "Andy is a focused, value-driven and passionate leader with a great deal of experience in the industry, as well as maintaining excellent customer relationships. His work on strategy, operations, sales and marketing will be a great asset to Bidfresh and its independent brands.”

Selley further thanked Hall, who has helmed Bidfresh for the past four and a half years, commenting: “The positive changes Brian has made to Bidfresh have been phenomenal, from navigating through Brexit and the pandemic, to steering the business towards record levels of profitability. On behalf of all the team, we wish him a very happy and well-deserved retirement.”