Grandbar Snacks has been making waves in the food industry since it’s launch in June 2022. The Gloucestershire-based company has been gaining recognition and awards for their unique, healthy and delicious cake bars. In this update, we’ll take a look at the company’s recent activities and achievements.
Launch of Malvern Three Counties Show
On 23rd March we were invited to the launch event for the Malvern Three Counties Show 2023.
This was held at Adan Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park near Stow on the Wold. Adam (star of BBC’s Countryfile and Spring Watch) gave us a talk about the history of the farm and then a personal guided tour. This year the Three Counties Show will focus on Gloucestershire and in particular highlight the range of food and drink created in the county. Made in Gloucestershire will have a designated area where you can immerse yourself in all the flavours, tastes and products of the county! You will certainly find Grandbar Snacks there and Mary Merheim will be on an expert panel in the theatre area talking about elderly nutrition.
Gloucestershire Foodie Awards
On 29th March we were delighted to win Start up of the Year 2023 at The Gloucerstershire Foodie Awards. The competition was fierce but the judges were full of praise for the business from it’s conception and launch to where we are now. Mary Merheim, CEO and Founder, received the award at the stunning Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester at the awards dinner. Delicious food was provided by all the finalists in the Street Food category too!
This award puts us on the map. Local winners of a previous Gloucestershire start up award, Wholly Gelato, were there to tell us how much of a boost it gave them both emotionally (starting a food business can be punishing) and in terms of publicity and sales.
Board of Directors
Since Grandbars launched in June 2022 there has been considerable interest from the food industry as well as our customers. Having such a unique product means we stand out from the crowd and really don’t have any competitors. After several months of discussions and negotiations, we would like to introduce our new Board of Directors!
Executive Chairman Andrew Jennings (bottom left)
Andrew comes to us with an enviable track record in the food industry. He spent 24 years with Kraft/Mondelez in leadership roles, latterly as Managing Director UK (£2bn+ turnover, 4000 employees). Andrew is a Board Advisor for S-Ventures growing their portfolio in health and wellbeing sectors in UK and Europe and is a Business Consultant running his own Advisory Services.
Commercial Director Ian Brooks (bottom right)
Ian also is a very successful sales and marketing director in the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) sector. He spent 15 years at Kraft/Cadbury culminating as a Senior Customer Development Manager. Ian was specifically responsible for supply chain management to Sainsbury, Waitrose and Ocado. Currently, he is also a Consulting Director delivering training programmes in negotiation, selling and procurement.
Chief Financial Officer Sanjai Desai (top right)
Sanjai has over 30 years of experience in finance and senior management. Over the last decade, he has specialised in business start-ups, turnarounds and mergers and acquisitions. In his words
“I am inspired by Mary, her philosophy and the brand and so pleased to be part of the team.”
CEO and Founder Mary Merheim
Well, I’ve been here all along! I created the first ‘Grandbars’ for my father in 2018 then Set up the company in 2021 launching to market in June 2022. I have a Level 5 qualification in Nutrition and am an End of Life Doula specialising in Dementia. I spent most of my working life as an SEN Teacher specialising in Autism.
