Farmhouse Biscuits founder Phillip McIvor dies at 84

Philip McIvor, the founder and chairman of Nelson-based Farmhouse Biscuits, has died at the age of 84.

He established the business alongside wife Dorothy in 1962 and the pair oversaw its growth from a 'kitchen table' operation into an employer of more than 300, occupying a 200,000sq ft facility.

He earned an MBE in the 2017 Queen’s New Year's honours list for services to the food industry and economic regeneration of East Lancashire.

A post by the company read: "Sheer hard work and determination enabled Phillip and his lovely wife Dorothy to create our amazing company from nothing more than a Farmhouse kitchen table and a rolling pin! His passion, belief and determination was infectious and he never gave up. His generosity and his empathy towards others enabled him to build a workforce that would stay with him for many years.

"We have been touched by the hundreds of wonderful messages we have received but not surprised by how much he was obviously loved by all because we knew how special he really was.

"It was always a pleasure to work for such a warm, humble, caring and gentle man who was inspirational to so many for many different reasons. We will miss him so very, very much and its hard to believe we won't see his smiley face again."

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