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Scottish food company The Albex Group has acquired Cheese Geek’s assets out of administration for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition is The Albex Group’s second in the cheese sector, having bought cheese cutter and packer Tom Walker & Sons in 2020.

Founded in 2017, Cheese Geek is a wholesale provider of artisan cheeses, available to retail and foodservice customers – such as supermarkets, delis, restaurants and gastro pubs – as well as to consumers through a subscription box service. Its customers include Sainsbury’s, Selfridges and The Orient Express, and it received backing from entrepreneur Steven Bartlett on Dragon's Den in 2022.

The company’s mission is to ‘democratise the world’s local cheese,’ making cheese experiences ‘ultra-enjoyable and memorable’ through partnerships with artisan producers, and through pairings, tasting notes and back-stories they couple with the cheese.

Alex Daglish, director of Albex, said that Cheese Geek’s mission to support local artisan cheesemakers and make great cheese accessible is important, commenting: “As a family company we always take a long-term view and are committed to fully supporting Cheese Geek”.

“Our funding gives them the stability needed to continue operating and more. It will allow them to achieve their full potential and do so in partnership with the artisans who bring much needed diversity and craftsmanship to the UK’s cheese industry.”

Daglish confirmed that Cheese Geek’s existing team will continue as usual, with founder Edward Hancock remaining at the helm.

“They’ll continue to fulfil orders uninterrupted and provide great service,” Daglish continued. “And they’ll continue to partner with a core group of artisan cheesemakers. In addition to that, we’ve already begun planning some major investments designed which will see Cheese Geek embark on some exciting new projects.”

Top image: © Cheese Geek