WSH Group, the parent company of BaxterStorey and Benugo, has acquired catering company Genuine Dining.
Chairman and majority shareholder, Luke Johnson, working through Risk Capital Partners, is realising his investment and exiting the business, following 14 years of active involvement with Genuine Dining.
Genuine Dining are a unique independent contract caterer, primarily serving office based clients across the UK. The company lives by the ethos of championing the best people, serving the best food, having the most fun.
Complementing its core contract catering business are three other established brands; The Admirable Crichton, Amplify Guest Services and Signature Dining.
WSH executive director Noel Mahony said: “WSH has a proven track record of investing in and growing successful businesses in our industry. We’re pleased to announce a new partnership and welcome Genuine Dining to the WSH family. An entrepreneurial business that has grown to offer a variety of hospitality services and brands, Genuine Dining shares our values of championing fresh, seasonal, local food, served by brilliant teams.
The company will continue to operate under its own independent structure with Chris Mitchell continuing to lead the business as chief executive. Tim Axe, Amanda Kay, Paul Robottom and Ruth Lawton-Owen will continue as managing directors of their respective businesses.
Luke Johnson, who provided funding to enable Mitchell to complete a management buyout from existing directors in 2011, said: “We are immensely proud of the achievements of Genuine Dining since we first became involved, and grateful to Chris and his team for their outstanding efforts in expanding the business. I’m excited to see the next phase of the businesses growth through the support of likeminded business, WSH.”
Chris Mitchell added, “Luke has been a huge supporter of our business, and we thank him for his time as Chairman.”