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  "path": "/money/huel-sold-danone-ex-labourer-julian-hearn-sells-company-400m-windfall",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-24T12:41:40.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Labour's employment reforms REJECTED by workers as Britons turn back on trade unions",
    "Oil tops $100 again as Iran calls Donald Trump's 'positive talks' claim 'fake news'",
    "Inheritance tax warning as pension rule change could leave families facing unexpected bills",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nDanone has agreed a deal to acquire British meal replacement brand Huel for approximately £1billion, marking a move into the functional nutrition sector.\n\nThe acquisition reflects Danone’s strategy to expand its presence in fortified food and beverage products.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe Paris-based group, known for brands including Activia yoghurt and Evian water, said Huel’s \"complete food\" range aligns with shifting consumer preferences.\n\nBoth companies said Huel’s powders, snack bars and ready-to-drink products are seeing increased demand from users of GLP-1 weight-loss treatments and health-focused consumers.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe global complete nutrition market is estimated to be worth $5.9billion.\n\nJulian Hearn founded the company after leaving formal education at 16 with few qualifications.\n\nHe worked in retail and later in manual labour before returning to education in 1991, eventually completing a university degree.\n\nMr Hearn went on to build a career in marketing, holding senior roles at companies including Starbucks, Tesco and Waitrose.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHis first business, Mash up Media, was launched in 2008 with £1,500 and sold three years later while generating £2.5million in annual profit.\n\nHuel was launched from a garage in Buckinghamshire on June 17, 2015, with the name derived from \"human\" and \"fuel\".\n\nThe business initially operated as a direct-to-consumer brand before securing supermarket distribution for its products.\n\nWithin four years, the company had reached a £40million annual run rate.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Labour's employment reforms REJECTED by workers as Britons turn back on trade unions\n  * Oil tops $100 again as Iran calls Donald Trump's 'positive talks' claim 'fake news'\n  * Inheritance tax warning as pension rule change could leave families facing unexpected bills\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nInvestment firm Highland Europe invested £20million in 2018, valuing Huel at £220million.\n\nThe company is expected to report revenues exceeding £250million for 2025, up from £214million the previous year, with an EBITDA margin of around 10 per cent.\n\nCelebrity investors have included Idris Elba, Jonathan Ross and entrepreneur Steven Bartlett.\n\nMorgan Stanley’s climate-focused fund 1GT also invested in November 2023.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAntoine de Saint-Affrique said: \"Huel is a great brand and smack on where the consumer is going.\"\n\nHe added that Huel would benefit from Danone’s research and development capabilities, while the group would gain from the UK firm’s digital marketing and direct-to-consumer expertise.\n\nJames McMaster said convenience remains central to the brand’s appeal, particularly among younger consumers.\n\nHe said: \"Most people don't get enough protein, fibre, or the right nutrients. That's the problem Huel exists to solve.\"\n\nMr McMaster added: \"With Danone, we will now have the infrastructure, distribution and research and development capability to go further, into new markets and to more people.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe deal values Huel at nearly double its $560million valuation from a 2022 funding round.\n\nMr McMaster will continue to lead the business as an autonomous operation, reporting to Danone’s head of Europe.\n\nThe company previously explored a potential initial public offering in 2021 before pursuing a sale.\n\nMr Hearn remains among the largest shareholders alongside Highland Europe and Morgan Stanley.\n\nThe acquisition follows Danone’s recent purchases of US medical nutrition firm Kate Farms and Belgian microbiome specialist Akkermansia Company.\n\nHuel’s plant-based products, fortified with vitamins and protein, are sold across Europe and the US.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Ex-labourer turned multi-million pound business tycoon sells company in £400m windfall"
}