Son Praises ‘Inspirational’ Parents Who Founded Business

A son has paid tribute to his “inspirational” parents, who founded a multimillion-pound grocery business from their family home. Bernard and Joan O’Malley, originally from Southport, established what is now Nationwide Produce PLC almost half a century ago. The company’s headquarters are located on Lord Street in the Merseyside town. The couple both passed away last month at the age of 88, within days of each other. Their son, Tim O’Malley, who serves as group managing director of the family firm, which is scheduled to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, expressed that he will miss his father’s “boundless enthusiasm for the business” and, most significantly, “his pearls of wisdom.” Nationwide Produce currently ranks among the UK’s largest produce companies, operating across four countries, achieving a £186 million turnover, and employing 300 staff. The O’Malleys, who were married for 65 years, were highly supportive of a wide array of community initiatives in the Southport area, their son stated. The firm acts as a leading partner with the FareShare charity, which aims to combat hunger poverty and reduce food waste. It also provides support for events such as the Southport Flower Show. Mr. O’Malley, 57, a trustee of FareShare, explained that the company commenced operations in September 1975 under the name Bernard O’Malley & Co. “The ‘Co’ was my mum. My dad did all the trading, my mum did the books,” he said. He continued, “The office was a small room in a small three bedroom house in Southport with four young kids running around – three of them now in the business.” He specified, “Myself, Patrick and Anthony.” He noted that they still possess the initial set of accounts. “The business turned over £311,122 in its first year and made a small profit,” he reported. He further mentioned, “This last financial year, Nationwide turned over £186m from nine offices, depots, and pack-houses in four countries, employing 300 staff.” “My dad never stopped talking about the business. First thing he would say whenever I saw him was ‘how’s the job?’” he recalled. He added, “He loved the fruit and veg trade and was enormously proud of the business he created alongside my mum.” He stated: “I’ll miss him, I’ll miss his boundless enthusiasm for the business but above all, I’ll miss his advice, his pearls of wisdom.” He recounted that during their 65 years of marriage, they had “hardly spent a night apart” before his mother’s death on 11 October. His father passed away on 30 October, the day of her funeral. “They’re back together now,” Mr O’Malley concluded.