As of June 13th, the Taste of the West brand was secured by a consortium of Experienced Business Owners from the administrators
A deal has been signed with the administrators of Taste of the West that acquires its intellectual property and brand, but not the existing company, which is no longer trading.
The new owners, known as The Consortium of People Who Care, are a group of experienced business leaders from the region’s food and drink sector. They are committed to preserving the legacy of Taste of the West by promoting best practices, fostering innovation, and raising awareness of the diversity and quality of West Country produce—both nationally and internationally.
Over the coming month, the Consortium will be reaching out to all Taste of the West members, and the wider region, to share their plans and initiatives. Their goal is to ensure that Taste of the West remains a vital resource for regional businesses, championing growth, sustainability, and excellence.
“We are thrilled to take on the responsibility of leading Taste of the West into its next chapter,” said Charles Baughan, spokesperson for the Consortium.
“Our team is dedicated to supporting the local food and drink industry—from start-up companies to established brands. We want to share their amazing stories and showcase the incredible range and availability of the products that the Southwest has to offer.”
For more information, please contact Charles Baughan, Managing Director, Westaway Sausages Limited, at [email protected].
About The Consortium of People Who Care
The Consortium of People Who Care is a collective of West Country-based business owners and directors with deep roots in the food and drink industry. Formed in response to the collapse of Taste of the West, the group is committed to revitalising the organisation under a new governance model. Their mission is to promote sustainable growth, innovation, and regional pride while ensuring that the voices of producers—from start-ups to heritage brands—are heard and supported.
The consortium includes former Thatchers Cider Sales Director Chris Milton, former SPAR UK MD Jerry Marwood, FSC Group CEO & co-founder of Somerset Charcuterie, James Simpson, Charles Baughan of Westaway Sausages, Mike Anderson of Hale Events, Bev and Milner Simonds, eat:Festivals, Jayne Noblet, Founder at The Collaborators, Steve Ashworth, South West food ambassador, and Nigel Wilkinson, Managing Director of Daneswood.