Howell said: “Anglia Crown is an exceptional company with potential for fast and sustainable growth. This is true in both current and new markets.
“Our new-found independence will enable us to be more market responsive.
“We have an exciting pipeline of new product development for future and will shortly be laying out a brand new environmental platform to help reduce waste and energy while still delivering a quality outsourced meal solution.”
Lone added: “I have been at Anglia Crown overseeing finance and operations for 11 years. We have enjoyed being part of Bakkavor, but we are delighted at this opportunity to own and run the business independently.
“The timing was right, our client portfolio has fully backed us, and we are supported by our strong senior management team.”
Founded in 1992, Anglia Crown Ltd has an annual turnover of £15m and is an award-winning, chilled and frozen prepared meal manufacturer for the healthcare and complementary markets.
It supplies a range of multi and single portion dishes to customers and patients, has operated in the UK market for more than 25 years, and currently works with around 100 hospital sites nationwide.
Based in Colchester, the 4,600 sq m facility employs more than 160 people, and manufactures approximately 40,000 chilled and frozen meals every week day.
It has recently added new ranges to its core offering, including a finger food range for patients who struggle to eat with cutlery, and a paediatric range for children.
With a strong brand profile in healthcare, particularly in hospital catering, the new owners say they are positioning the business to enter further markets including hospitality, travel, leisure and private healthcare.
Howell said: “Our individual frozen meals will beoffered as a cost-effective way to provide high quality dining, on the move, out of hours and for catering operations where there are limited facilities.”
The senior management team at Anglia Crown remains the same.