Poundland bosses in management buyout talks with former Asda chief Andy Bond
Poundland executives are teaming up with former Asda and Pepco boss Andy Bond for a management buyout, as first-round bids for the discount chain close.
Poundland’s senior management are in talks over a management buyout of the discount chain alongside Andy Bond, the former chief executive of Asda and Pepco Group, The Grocer has reported.
The buyout team is in advanced talks over a deal funded by one of the bidders in the auction for Poundland, people close to the process confirmed. Under the proposal, the management team would take an equity stake in the business, with managing director Barry Williams staying on to lead it, and the unnamed bidder would become the chain’s new owner.
The talks follow the close of first-round bids on Tuesday in the sale process launched by Alvarez & Marsal on 2 September. The Financial Times reported on Friday that owner Gordon Brothers was demanding £30m, a price that could deter some bidders.
The buyout would allay fears of administration among Poundland’s 11,000–12,000 staff. Gordon Brothers bought the chain from Pepco Group for £1 in June 2025; it has since closed roughly 150 stores, leaving about 600 shops, and cut around 2,200 jobs. The company reported a pre-tax loss of £85.2m for the year to September 2025.
The bidder backing the buyout is said to be a credible funder and is neither Modella Capital nor Poundstretcher owner Fortress. Pepco Group, which retains a minority stake, is understood to support the solution.
Separately, Poundland has moved to reassure suppliers after trade credit insurers stopped offering new cover on the chain, sending a management delegation to Shanghai this month, The Telegraph reported.
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