Idris Elba backed Danone has agreed to acquire UK-based nutrition brand Huel in a deal valued at approximately €1 billion, marking a significant expansion into the fast-growing functional nutrition market.
The acquisition is expected to deliver a major payout for Huel’s investors, including co-founder Julian Hearn, who could earn about £400 million from the transaction.
Actor Idris Elba, an early backer of the company, is also likely to benefit, although the size of his stake has not been disclosed.
The deal shows Danone’s strategy to deepen its presence in health-focused food segments, particularly as consumer demand rises for convenient, plant-based, and nutritionally fortified products.
Idris Elba, his wife, Sabrina Dhowre Elba, and British TV presenter Jonathan Ross invested in Huel in December 2022 as part of a $24 million (£20 million) Series B funding round. The actor, who has used Huel products for several years, joined the company to support its mission of providing sustainable, convenient, and complete nutrition
In the company’s press statement on its website, Danone explained that the acquisition of Huel is part of its strategy to strengthen its position in the fast-growing functional and complete nutrition market.
Huel, founded in 2015 by Hearn and James Collier, produces meal replacement powders, ready-to-drink shakes, and snack bars.
The acquisition highlights broader consolidation trends in the global food and beverage sector, as established multinationals seek to acquire fast-growing, niche brands aligned with evolving consumer preferences.