JOHN Dunsmore, former chief executive of the Scottish & Newcastle drinks business, has invested in a firm that makes healthy snacks from fruit and vegetables alongside Ben Thomson, who used to run the Noble Group investment bank.

The men have backed Emily Crisps ahead of a push for growth in the UK and overseas by the London-based firm. Emily Crisps was founded in 2014 by Emily Wong and Alex Ascani and launched with three fruit crisp varieties.

Mr Dunsmore and Mr Thomson invested in the business through the Edinburgh-registered Inverleith LLP private equity operation they run with Paul Skipworh, ex chief executive of the Glenmorangie Company whisky business.