Two of the founders of upmarket crisps brand Pipers have backed Luke Jenneson with a significant investment
A Brough entrepreneur who swapped banking for baking has attracted significant investment from two food industry giants. Luke Jenneson “took a leap of faith” when he left banking to realise a life-long dream, and set up Luke’s Bakery in 2022.
The 38 year-old has gone on to produce an award-winning range of sourdoughs, and built a reputation among customers in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire via retail and hospitality customers. Now, the business has secured the backing of the duo behind well known snack brand Pipers Crisps.
James Sweeting, who is also a founder of Lincoln & York Coffee, and Alex Albone, were part of the original team to found Lincolnshire-based Pipers, which was sold to food giant Pepsico six years ago in a deal worth more than £20m.
Pipers was initially sold via independent pubs, restaurants and cafes, with its upmarket flavours and use of local potatoes. The pair are now throwing their weight behind Luke and his business which has picked up several Great Taste Awards for its bread.
The investment comes amid a period of growth for Luke’s which recently expanded into larger bakery premises in the heart of Brough. Its new 6,500 sqft base is more than double the size of the bakery’s first home, with the added space intended to increase capacity for the team of 12 with more loaves for customers and new products added to the range.
Luke said: “It’s been a brilliant first two years for the business, from perfecting our range and bringing on board our first customers, to baking thousands of sourdough loaves a week and delivering across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Bread lovers tell us everyday how much they enjoy our products and there’s a big appetite for greater availability and a wider range.
“I couldn’t be prouder to have James and Alex on-board as investors, they’ve both provided invaluable counsel during the journey so far and their investment has already helped take us to the next level with the move to a new bakery. Roll on the next chapter!”
James Sweeting, food entrepreneur and investor, said: “I knew when I first tasted one of Luke’s loaves that he was onto something. The market for fresh, local bread made with simple ingredients is growing, and Luke’s baking skills and business brain are impressive. I’m thrilled to be involved and look forward to playing a part in the brand’s next chapter.”
Alex Albone added: “Creating a successful food business starts with a great product – which Luke and his team have mastered. I’m delighted to be getting involved to support them towards their next goals, growing distribution, expanding their range and raising brand awareness across the region and beyond.”
Luke’s Bakery was launched after Luke had trained at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu school, and spent a year perfecting recipes for sourdough. Having developed a signature loaf, he bought a van and launched the business.
Now the bakery produces thousands of loaves every week and supplies shops, homes and hospitality venues across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. As previously reported by HullLive, earlier this year, Luke’s earned a 1 star rating for its olive sourdough in the Great Taste food and drink mark programme.