We are pleased to welcome Essential Food Hygiene into the E&J family, after the recent acquisition by our parent company, Phenna Group.
Founded on the principle that high-quality training should be accessible, affordable, and straightforward, Essential Food Hygiene (EFH) delivers a comprehensive suite of accredited online CPD courses widely recognised and trusted by Environmental Health Officers, regulators, licensing authorities, and employers across the UK. EFH has trained thousands of learners and enabled businesses to meet crucial compliance requirements efficiently.
Jo Kerry and Ed Laycock, Founders of EFH, shared, “We are pleased to announce that Essential Food Hygiene has been acquired by Phenna Group, and will come under the leadership of Eville and Jones (E&J), This marks an exciting milestone for our business, and we are delighted that we will now form part of a wider group with strong expertise and resources. As founders, we are very proud of what the company has achieved to date, and we are confident that under E&J’s leadership, Essential Food Hygiene will continue to grow and thrive. Our office team remains in place and is looking forward to supporting clients as we move into this new chapter. They are excited about the opportunities ahead and the new developments planned for the new year.”
Charles Hartwell, CEO of E&J and Divisional MD for Food & Life Sciences, commented: “I’m delighted to welcome Essential Food Hygiene into E&J and the wider Phenna Group. EFH has developed a strong, trusted presence in the online training and compliance market, offering high-quality accredited online courses that support individuals and businesses across the UK. Their learner-centred approach and commitment to clarity and accessibility align perfectly with our values. This acquisition enables E&J to offer a digital training proposition and provides an excellent platform for continued growth through extended service capabilities.”
Phil Marshall, Chief Operating Officer, added: “Essential Food Hygiene is a highly complementary addition to our business. The team has built an impressive reputation for delivering accessible, affordable and professional training that meets real-world compliance needs. Their scalable digital model and strong industry recognition make them a great strategic fit for Phenna Group, and I look forward to supporting their next phase of growth as part of our Food & Life Sciences division.”
About Phenna Group
Phenna Group is a global, fast-growing platform of specialist Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) businesses, committed to delivering high-quality, mission-critical services across a wide range of industries. Headquartered in Nottingham, UK, the Group partners with niche, technically strong organisations to strengthen capability, expand market reach, and provide customers with trusted, industry-leading assurance services. Through its disciplined acquisition strategy and focus on operational excellence, Phenna Group continues to build a diversified portfolio of high-performing businesses across multiple sectors worldwide.
You can find out more about Essential Food Hygiene, here: Essential Food Hygiene | Accredited Food Hygiene & Safety Online Courses
