Food companies Kent Crisps and Kentish Oils have been taken over by the boss of owners Quex Foods, after she completed a management buyout.

Angie Curwen has taken over the business from Quex Park Estates in Birchington with the backing of merchant banking group Close Brothers.

Kent Crisps produce varieties like Oyster and Vinegar and Roast Beef and Spitfire Ale flavour crisps while Kentish Oils manufacture and bottle cold-pressed rape seed oils.

Both companies have won awards and are sold nationally to the likes of British Airways and P&O.

Mrs Curwen said: “I am delighted we have an opportunity to drive sales of these fantastic products with the support of Quex, from whom we will continue to source most of our raw ingredients.”

Mrs Curwen was advised on the deal by Reeves corporate partners Scott Miles and John Cowie.

The accountant, which has bases in Canterbury, Chatham and Sandwich, helped complete the management buyout of Hampshire-based ocean equipment supplier RS Aqua in May.

Mr Cowie said: “We expect to announce a further two transactions very shortly, hot on the heels of these two reflecting a busy time for the Reeves corporate finance team and demonstrating a real sense of renewed optimism in mergers and acquisitions, which we foresaw towards the end of 2013.

“We are delighted to have been able to offer our help to Angie who is truly passionate about Kent Crisps and Kentish Oils.”

Law firm Brachers also worked on the deal, with corporate partner Sean Gorman in their Discovery Park office advising.