Following the recent appointment of industry leader Neil Turton to lead its Health & Wellbeing vertical, Smarter Capital is pleased to announce the appointment of Vikas Sharma as the new Managing Director of UNNU, a leading distributor in the endurance sports nutrition and healthy snacking sector.
This appointment marks the next major milestone in UNNU's growth journey following Smarter Capital's acquisition of an 80% stake in May 2024.
The strategy is clear: invest in building a world-class leadership team, scale aggressively, and position the business as a market leader.
A Strategic Leadership Transition
As part of this transition, UNNU founder, Nick Gracie will move from Managing Director to Sales Director, a shift that allows him to focus fully on driving organic growth and deepening customer relationships.
Vikas will take the operational helm, ensuring execution on the growth strategy and positioning UNNU as the go-to wholesaler for protein and healthy snacks.
Nick Gracie, UNNU's founder and new Sales Director, commented:
'This transition allows me to focus on what I'm most passionate about, building relationships with our customers and driving sales growth.'
'I'm excited to hand the operational reins to Vikas, whose experience and vision will help take UNNU to the next level.'
'Together, we're in a strong position to accelerate growth and deliver even more value to our partners.'
A Proven Growth Leader
Vikas brings a strong track record of scaling businesses from the ground up. Starting his career on the Enterprise graduate scheme in 2006, he went on to lead Cheshire Retail NW Ltd from a single outlet with two staff to a 15-location operation employing 170 people, all through organic growth.
His expertise spans operational efficiency, commercial negotiation, and building high-performing teams.
Known for his people-first approach, Vikas says: 'I believe that if you treat people well and lead with integrity, success naturally follows.'
A Three-Year Vision
Vikas's immediate focus will be to build on the strong foundations already created by the UNNU team, opening up new market opportunities, supporting operational excellence, and ensuring the business is ready to scale at pace.
Looking further ahead, his ambition is to work alongside the team to secure strategic partnerships with leading retailers, develop exclusive product agreements, and further strengthen UNNU's already unique market position.
'UNNU is a hidden gem,' says Vikas. 'Over the next three years, my goal is to work closely with the team to build on the fantastic work already in place, drive sustainable growth, and create even greater value for our customers, colleagues, and shareholders.'
Mark Callaghan, CEO of Smarter Capital, commented:
'When we acquired UNNU in May 2024, the plan was to transition Nick into a sales-focused role while bringing in an operations-focused MD to take the business to the next level.'
'Vikas is exactly the kind of leader we were looking for, commercially sharp, operationally disciplined, and culturally aligned.'
'With Nick, Vikas, and now Neil providing strategic oversight at vertical level, UNNU is not just transitioning, it's stepping up.'
Neil Turton, newly appointed Head of the Health & Wellbeing vertical, added:
'Vikas brings a great blend of entrepreneurial drive and operational discipline.'
'I'm looking forward to working with him to unlock UNNU's full potential as part of our ambitious growth plans.'
A Leader with Passion Beyond Business
Outside of work, Vikas is a part-time scout for Liverpool Football Club and volunteers for the Liverpool Schools Football Association, roles that reflect his commitment to spotting and nurturing potential.
A keen runner and cyclist, he shares his love of fitness with his eight-year-old son, with another child on the way.
Whether tackling challenges together or travelling to explore new places, Vikas brings energy, curiosity, and a people-first mindset to everything he does.
About UNNU
UNNU is a UK-based distributor of endurance sports nutrition, protein-based snacks, and sporting essentials, serving retailers, gyms, and specialist outlets nationwide.
Known for its strong brand partnerships and expanding product portfolio, UNNU operates within the Health & Wellbeing vertical of Smarter Capital's portfolio.
About Smarter Capital
Smarter Capital acquires and scales high-potential UK SMEs, building connected groups of complementary businesses. With a hands-on, founder-friendly approach, Smarter Capital works to unlock growth, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation.
UNNU ➚ Back to News