Serial entrepreneur Ross Carlin has spoken out to set the record straight following the problems at online healthy food retailer MuscleFood.
Last week, the company was acquired out of administration by Boparan Private Office (BPO), the private investment vehicle of 2 Sisters Food Group owner Ranjit Boparan.
The news prompted MuscleFood’s former CEO, Nick Preston, to take to LinkedIn to say: “I’ve lost everything but will try to rebuild again.”
Preston returned to the helm of the Nottingham-based retailer in August 2025, when he was reported to have acquired it alongside serial entrepreneur Ross Carlin, founder and director of The Good Food Group.
However, after being approached by BusinessCloud for comment, Carlin revealed that he never proceeded with the deal.
He said: “I was invited to be part of the conversation when MuscleFood changed hands last year, and for a period I was inside the business reviewing how it was performing and what would be required going forward. Following that review I took the decision not to proceed with the acquisition.
“I was not part of the transaction that completed. I held no shareholding and no directorship in the business, and I had no involvement in how it was run from that point onwards.
“I stepped away to concentrate on businesses I already hold. The Good Food Group’s financial year ends this month and we will close it with revenue doubled and profit growth in triple digits.
“This is a difficult situation for everyone affected by it, and I don’t intend to comment on the circumstances of the administration. I would simply ask that my own position is reported accurately.”
MuscleFood went into administration following a range of issues, primarily a loss of confidence from a lender.
Writing on LinkedIn, Preston added: “It stings badly but for me what hurts is that there’s a lot of good people and businesses who have lost out here and that’s not right.
“I’ve lost everything but will try to rebuild again. I’m hoping for some they can do the same. Others I hope they feel the pain.”