Former JD Sports boss Peter Cowgill has invested in growing Merseyside sports nutrition brand Applied Nutrition and says he's proud to back a "British success story".
It follows the appointment of AJ Bell founder Andy Bell as chairman in February - and comes amid reports the rapidly growing group is preparing to list on the stock market.
Tom Ryder founded Applied Nutrition in 2014 and the business has enjoyed rapid growth, reporting sales of 拢62m last year as it was named in the Sunday Times 鈥楩astest Growing Companies鈥 list. The group employs 200 people at its Knowsley base, has an office in Texas, and has signed up brands and athletes including Rangers FC, Wigan Warriors RLFC, and mixed martial artist Paddy 鈥榯he Baddy鈥 Pimblett.
Applied Nutrition has now announced that "long-term supporter" Mr Cowgill has returned to the business after two years, making a "personal investment " into the brand.
Mr Cowgill was executive chairman of JD Sports when that group invested in Applied Nutrition in 2021. He then joined the board of Applied Nutrition as a non-executive, stepping back when he left JD Sports two years ago.
He said: 鈥淲hen I first met Tom and the team, I was immediately impressed with their operation and the strength, commitment and ambition of the management team. Applied Nutrition clearly has an in-depth knowledge of its market and the opportunities which prevail. I had no hesitation in proposing an investment on behalf of JD, which I am delighted has been a rewarding success.
鈥淚 have continued to follow the progress of the business and observed its enduring rapid expansion. I welcome the opportunity to be involved again and to support this British success story. I am confident in its future development.鈥
Applied Nutrition CEO Tom Ryder said: 鈥淲e are very proud to have Peter Cowgill investing in our business and reaffirming the belief he had in us back in 2021 when heading up JD Sports.
鈥淛D has been a great partner since the initial investment and post Peter鈥檚 departure the JD team has continued to be very supportive and a pleasure to work with.
鈥淧eter is a very successful retail leader on a global scale and having him alongside us as an investor shows how much he believes in our brand and the future of our business.鈥
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