Takeover at Yorkshire gourmet food company

The managing director of Yorkshire Game and former food giant Symingtons chief executive have taken over a gourmet food business which had entered into a company voluntary arrangement earlier this year.

David Salkeld, who had been chief executive of Symingtons makers of Aunt Bessie’s and Ragu products, for nine years until October 2016, is teaming up with Adrian Lyons, who took over the running of Yorkshire Game in 2014.

Lyons will become managing director of the new company.

Yorkshire Game, based in Richmond in North Yorkshire, specialises in game and venison, supplying wild meat to supermarkets, wholesalers and butchers, which counts Marks & Spencer among its customers.

It entered into a CVA in February after creditors agreed to the arrangement at a meeting chaired by insolvency specialists from KSA Group.

Specialist lawyers from Walker Morris advised David Salkeld and Adrian Lyons on the purchase of the business and assets of Yorkshire Game.

Richard Naish, head of the Food & Drink Group at Walker Morris said: “Yorkshire Game is a strong heritage brand, which prides itself on delivering a high-quality product.

“The experience and industry knowledge that David and Adrian are able to bring to the Company will help to reinforce its specialist expertise and strategic direction.

“The deal also reinforces our own extensive experience in the food sector. We work closely with food and drink companies, particularly food manufacturers, to ensure our legal expertise is delivered in a commercially relevant and pragmatic context.”