Where does Wittington’s money come from?

Wittington has a spread of investments but the principal asset, both in terms of value and the income it produces, is its shareholding in ABF.  Dividends from ABF are either re-invested in other assets or in turn paid out as dividends by Wittington.  The Garfield Weston Foundation owns 79.2% of Wittington Investments Ltd. and is the principal beneficiary of our investment activity.

What does Wittington invest in?

Wittington considers investments with a view to maximising long term shareholder value, with special regard to the requirements of shareholders and to retaining financial flexibility to pursue investments on an opportunistic basis. Wittington’s fundamental objective is to support its investment in ABF.

Don’t you also have food and retail businesses in Canada?

This is the website for the UK company Wittington Investments Limited.  Wittington’s primary business interests include the UK publicly quoted company Associated British Foods, as well as the private businesses and other investments shown on this website.

There is a separate and distinct Canadian company, Wittington Investments, Limited (“Wittington Canada”), which was also established by Garfield Weston and so has a common ancestry.  Please note carefully the comma in the full name of the Canadian company which differentiates the UK and Canadian firms.

Wittington Canada’s primary business interests is a controlling interest in the Canadian public company George Weston Limited (“GWL”).  GWL in turn owns controlling stakes in Loblaw Companies Limited (food and pharmaceuticals retail)  and Choice Properties REIT.  GWL divested its baking business in 2021, completing its exit from food manufacturing and related activities. 

Until recently Wittington Canada also owned Selfridges Group Limited comprising a number of luxury retail businesses.  Selfridges (UK), Brown Thomas and Arnotts (Republic of Ireland), and de Bijenkorf (The Netherlands) were sold in 2022.  Wittington Canada has retained its ownership of Holt Renfrew, the Canadian luxury department store business.