Greencore has increased its presence in the British food market with the purchase of International Cuisine Ltd (ICL), a Durham-based private label chilled ready-meal business, for an undisclosed sum.

Greencore has reported a near 47% year-on-year rise in third quarter revenues to £298m (€380m).

Greencore has acquired US snacks producer HC Schau & Son for around €15.5m, of which€10.4m is being paid in cash.

Greencore chief executive Patrick Coveney has seen the value of his holding in the group grow to €1.35m on foot of its sustained strong performance.

The $36m (€27.3m) acquisition of Marketfare Foods by Greencore will increase the Irish plc’s US operations by 70%.