Dave Sparrow, the former CEO of plant-based food company The Vegan Food Group (VFG) in the UK, has officially stepped down.
Sparrow began his role at Vegan Food Group in January 2024, having transitioned from his previous position as CEO at VFC Foods, the company’s predecessor before its rebranding.
Veganuary founder Matthew Glover established VFC Foods in 2020 with co-founder Adam Lyons. Recently, filings with Companies House in London confirm that Lyons has also resigned, following Sparrow and several other executives.
Although VFG has not yet responded regarding Sparrow’s departure, the former CEO confirmed his exit in a brief statement.
“I’ve been with the organisation pretty much from inception and proud of what we have achieved, although it was time for a new challenge and some time to recharge,” Sparrow stated.
“I will of course be supporting and watching fondly where the group goes next, while focusing on my next CEO role.”
A Companies House filing dated 16 September indicates that Sparrow resigned on 12 September.
Sparrow clarified that Lyons “stood down some time ago,” with Companies House documenting his resignation date as April 2024.
Additionally, Eden Phillip and Daniel Hardesty, both listed as company secretaries, resigned on 20 August and 10 January, respectively.
During Sparrow’s tenure, VFG executed several strategic acquisitions in the plant-based meat sector while still identifying as VFC Foods.
The acquisition of The Meatless Farm Co. in the UK marked a significant milestone for VFC, finalizing the deal in mid-2023 when the company went into administration.
At that time, the North Yorkshire-based entity indicated the transaction was “worth £12m in sales” (approximately $16.2m today as of 23 September).
Founded in 2016 by Danish entrepreneur Morten Toft Bech, Meatless Farm posted a net loss of £23.5m for the year ending 31 December 2021 while supplying renowned retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury, Asda, and Morrisons.
Following the acquisition of Meatless Farm, VFG expanded its portfolio in October 2023 by acquiring Clive’s Purely Plants and a factory in Dartmouth, Devon.
Clive’s Purely Plants specializes in a diverse range of vegan products, including pies, quiches, tarts, and sausage rolls.
Investor Veg Capital, co-founded and managed by Glover, acquired a controlling interest in Clive’s Purely Plants in 2021.
Under its new identity, VFG also secured Germany’s Tofutown in 2024.
Upon announcing the acquisition, which took place in February 2023, VFG asserted that Tofutown generated revenues of approximately €60m ($70.7m today). The UK business projected that the combined entity would be on track for profitability in 2024 and aims to scale group revenues beyond €100m.
Tofutown, located in Wiesbaum, Germany, produces a variety of products, including tofu, spreads, and frozen foods distributed to major German retailers such as Aldi, Lidl, and Edeka.
