Andy Bell returns to business front line with Applied Nutrition
Andy Bell is to return to the front line of business as chairman of Applied Nutrition.
The company has confirmed Bell’s appointment, which is understood to have been ratified at a board meeting on Tuesday.
Bell has also invested in Applied Nutrition alongside the founders and JD Sports Fashion which holds a 30% stake in the fast growing business.
Applied Nutrition was founded by Tom Ryder, which competes with THG as a supplier of supplements for sports people and gym goers, with commercial partnerships spanning combat sports, football, cycling and Rugby League.
Accounts for the year to the end of July last year revealed a huge 74% increase in turnover to £61.2m, and profits of £18.1m.
Tony Buffin, former chief executive of Holland & Barrett and operations chief of Travis Perkins PLC, has also joined the Board as a Non-Executive Director.
Applied Nutrition founder and chief executive Tom Ryder described the “extraordinary experience” Bell and Buffin will bring Applied Nutrition as it grows globally.
“Andy is a Liverpool success story who has built a household name from scratch and his multi-decade experience will be invaluable to Applied Nutrition. We agreed last year that Andy would invest in the business. More recently our conversations around strategy and how we can continue our growth story led to Andy accepting the role of Chair. This is the first such role he has accepted which is a huge endorsement of our business.
“Tony’s deep understanding of the sector will also be extremely beneficial. The global wellness economy is projected to grow by 8.6% a year, reaching $8.5 trillion in 2027, and Tony’s experience as CEO of Holland & Barrett, one of the world’s leading health and wellness retailers, will ensure that we are best positioned to capitalise on this exciting opportunity,” he said.
Andy Bell said: “I agreed to become a shareholder in Applied Nutrition last year, attracted to the outstanding growth delivered by its strong leadership team, the quality and diversity of its products, and growing market share in over 60 countries. I am now excited to have the privilege of being Chair to support this fantastic UK business in its next phase of growth.”
Applied Nutrition is one of Europe’s fastest growing sports nutrition, health and wellness brands employing over 200 people at its HQ in Liverpool, England.
Founded in 2014 by CEO Tom Ryder, the business has grown from £11m sales in FY2020 to £62m in FY23. Its growth has come from its international distribution network which has landed the products in over 60 countries globally. Operating from its 100,000 square foot premises in Liverpool, Applied Nutrition manufactures 85% of its own products in an accredited facility and ships worldwide to distribution partners.
In late 2022 they opened an office in Plano, Texas to grow in the USA which is the largest market globally. The company has secured national listings in Walmart in its first year operating in the US alongside several US outlets.
In recent years the company has signed up a plethora of professional clubs and athletes including Fulham FC, Rangers FC, Wigan Warriors RLFC, UFC fighter Paddy ‘the Baddy’ Pimblett & former Tour de France champion, Sir Bradley Wiggins plus several others.
Andy Bell
Andy Bell’s appointment as the new chairman, and an investor, sees a break from his semi-retirement. As well as investing in some of the financing around Everton’s new stadium he also holds a number of private equity business interests covering sectors such as hospitality, housebuilding, sport, fitness, nutrition, sustainable energy and IT security.
Bell qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries in 1993, has won numerous industry awards including North West Business Ambassador of the Year at the 2022 North West Business Masters Awards, organised by TheBusinessDesk.com, and was awarded a CBE in King Charles’ first New Year’s Honours List.
Always an innovator, Bell revolutionised the investment sector when he started AJ Bell in Salford Quays nearly 25 years ago using only £10,000 of personal loans.
Today, AJ Bell, which joined the stock exchange in 2018, has grown into one of the largest investment platforms in the UK with over £ 64bn of assets under management and more than 425,000 clients and is a member of the FTSE 250.
