The Black Farmer Ltd brand has secured a £1 million funding line and specialist FX services from independent SME funder, Bibby Financial Services (BFS).
The additional capital will be used to support the brand’s expansion into high street retail premises, and, says company,will further the business’s overarching mission to offer premium quality, affordable British products.
Founded by Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones MBE, The Black Farmer Ltd is the result of a life-long love of British Farming and his personal dream to own a farm in Devon. After becoming known to his neighbours as ‘The Black Farmer’, Emmanuel-Jones applied the sobriquet to his brand. He has worked to support diversity in farming, setting up the Black Farmer Scholarship, which aims to help and encourage ethnic minorities to work in agriculture and rural communities.
Established in 2004, The Black Farmer Ltd now has an annual turnover of £10 million.
Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones said: “We’re a pioneering company leading the way for black British businesses and agricultural entrepreneurs. I’m passionate about maximising the untapped potential of small businesses and wanted to collaborate with a likeminded partner. We needed the confidence that our funder is both an expert in their field and committed to supporting our goals.
”BFS provided exactly that. They engaged with our ambitions from the start, working to understand our business. Their offer of an extended funding limit and a higher advance rate was a perfect solution and demonstrated their confidence in our business. We look forward to working with the BFS team as our business continues to grow.”
