Founded in 1886, Hovis is one of the UK’s most iconic food brands. The business manufactures both branded and private-label bread and bakery products for all of the UK’s major grocery retailers and local convenience stores.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Endless acquired Hovis from Gores Group and Premier Foods plc in November 2020, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to reinvigorating non-core businesses and supporting the UK Food industry.
Headquartered in High Wycombe, the company employs approximately 3,000 people and operates a flour mill, eight bakeries and a distribution network spanning the UK and Northern Ireland.
OUR IMPACT
Since acquisition, Endless has supported Hovis and its management team in pursuing growth and diversification within the bakery category, including providing fresh capital to increase existing production capacity and capability.
On 15 August 2025, Endless announced it had reached an agreement to sell Hovis to Associated British Foods plc (‘ABF’) – the home of a number of other well-known bakery brands in the UK, including Kingsmill, Allinson’s and Sunblest. Given the nature of the parties involved, completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approval by the CMA.
THE EXIT
Hovis Group Limited (‘Hovis’) has been acquired by Associated British Foods plc (‘ABF’) from Endless LLP (‘Endless’).
The sale follows an extensive review by the Competition and Markets Authority, which cleared the transaction on 16 June 2026.
