law Paris Smith digs in with Barfoots
In this latest Paris Smith client profile, The Business Magazine dons its wellies to see how the Southampton law firm has nurtured an 18-year relationship with Barfoot Farms, one of the UK’s foremost fruit and vegetable growers
Ask Peter Barfoot how he built up his business from a 20- acre vegetable plot to a £185 million turnover global business that supplies the UK’s major supermarkets and he’ll modestly reply: “It’s the question I’m asked most, but I don’t really know the answer.”
Many of the reasons behind his success can be found in his autobiography, written partly as therapy while recovering from a life-threatening brain injury after a polo playing accident. It tells how the sixth generation Hampshire
strawberry grower shook up the UK food industry with a combination of innovative ideas, stubbornness and passion for business.
Barfoot joined forces with his father to set up Barfoots of Botley in 1976. Over the decades he bought land around Botley and later in Pagham and the Rother valley. He now farms 8,000 acres in the UK.
Barfoots also operates in 32 countries, ‘following the sun’ to grow produce for UK consumers.
Sweetcorn comes from Senegal, courgettes from Spain, with sweet potatoes and asparagus from Peru. Barfoot’s daughter, Jo-Anne, runs the Spanish operation.
“You probably eat our vegetables without knowing it,” said Barfoot, who estimates that his company supplies around 90% of the UK sweetcorn market. “I think about that fact 24 hours a day. I wake up in middle of the night thinking about sweetcorn.”
He added, with pride: “In Senegal, we indirectly employ 3,000 people and are helping to positively change the lives of 30,000 people who live around our farms.”
Trusted relationship
Paris Smith’s managing partner Peter Taylor first got to know Barfoot socially nearly 20 years ago. Barfoot soon became a firm friend and client. “We understand what drives the Barfoots business and share common business values. A good sense of humour with Peter also helps,” said Taylor.
As well as its specialist agricultural team, Paris Smith’s commercial, employment and corporate teams support Barfoots. Taylor is also a director of the Barfoot family trust, which was established to ensure the continuation of the company ‘in perpetuity’.
Barfoot commented: “I know I can rely on Peter to bring whatever expertise we need.”
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businessmag.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019
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