LDC backs the roll-out of Vital Ingredient
LDC announced that it has invested over £8 million in the management buyout of Vital Ingredient to support the roll-out of the group both within London and throughout the UK. Santander will provide a further £4 million of funding to support the expansion.
Founder Alex Heynes opened its first store in London’s West End 15 years ago, and the business now operates 17 stores in the capital which offer a range of fresh, healthy, natural and responsibly-sourced ingredients for consumers to create their own food-to-go meals. Its offer includes salads that are tossed to order in front of the customer from a choice of over 65 ingredients and dressings, a selection of hot food and soups, superfood smoothies, desserts and snacks.
In addition to its retail outlets, Vital Ingredient also runs an online delivery service and a click and collect offering.
The buyout team led by Alex includes Managing Director Paolo Peretti and Finance Director John Moulton. The transaction was led by LDC investment directors Simon Hemley, Alistair Pendleton, and Peter Latham, with Hemley and Pendleton joining the board as Non-Executive Directors. Private investor Paul Oberschneider has sold his stake in the business.
