Hilltop Honey Appoints Tom Delaney as CEO to Spearhead Ambitious £100m Growth Plan
Leadership Reshuffle at Hilltop Food Group Aims for Sweet Success
Welsh food producer Hilltop Honey, now operating under the parent identity Hilltop Food Group, has announced a major leadership change to fuel its aggressive growth strategy. Tom Delaney, formerly Sales Director, has been promoted to the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer. Founder and Managing Director Scott Davies transitions to Executive Chairman, effective immediately.
The move comes as the company, headquartered in Newtown, Wales, embarks on a five-year plan to double its turnover to £100 million ($136.9m). This ambition follows a period of robust financial performance. According to filings at Companies House, Hilltop generated £44.1m in turnover for 2024, a 31% year-on-year increase. Operating profit saw a dramatic rise to £3.8m from £667,927, with net income climbing to £2.5m from £308,289.
Strategic Expansion on the Horizon
Delaney, who joined the company in 2024, brings a commercial pedigree from previous roles at Typhoo Tea and Tesco. He is tasked with leading the "next stage of growth," which includes pushing into new international markets—with the US as a key focus—and diversifying the product portfolio into adjacent categories like peanut butter and condiments. Currently, revenue is split 40% from the Hilltop Honey brand and 60% from private-label production.
"It’s a huge privilege to lead Hilltop Food Group at such an exciting moment," Delaney stated. "We're focused on unlocking the next chapter of growth and doubling the size of the business, while staying true to our roots as a founder-led, values-driven company."
Founder Scott Davies expressed confidence in the appointment, noting Delaney would bring "sharp strategic thinking" to the business. The company operates two manufacturing facilities totaling 150,000 square feet in Wales and confirms its operations remain UK-centric despite its global ambitions.
Industry Voices: A Mix of Optimism and Skepticism
Eleanor Vance, Food & Beverage Analyst at Meridian Insights: "This is a logical step for Hilltop. Delaney's background in major retail and branded goods is precisely what they need to scale. Rebranding to a 'Food Group' signals their intent to move beyond honey, which is crucial for hitting that £100m target."
Michael Torres, Small-Scale Beekeeper & Blogger: "Another founder stepping back, another corporate suit stepping in. They talk about 'values,' but doubling in size usually means squeezing suppliers, cutting corners, and more supermarket private label stuff. The soul of these companies often gets lost in the spreadsheet. I hope I'm wrong, but the track record isn't great."
Sarah Chen, Partner at AgriVenture Capital: "The financials are impressive, and the growth plan is ambitious yet plausible. The shift to a group structure provides the flexibility to acquire or launch new brands. The key challenge will be maintaining quality and brand authenticity while pursuing such rapid expansion."
Gareth Hopkins, Retail Consultant: "Hilltop has successfully navigated the branded vs. own-label balance. Delaney's Tesco experience will be invaluable as they negotiate shelf space for new product lines. The peanut butter move is smart—it's a high-growth category with natural synergy."
This report is based on a company announcement and public financial records.