BaxterStorey's parent company WSH acquires Bartlett Mitchell

BaxterStorey’s parent company Westbury Street Holdings (WSH) has acquired caterer Bartlett Mitchell.

Co-founder Wendy Bartlett and the senior team will remain in their posts as part of the deal, which will see the business continue to run under its own operational structure.

In its last set of full accounts posted to Companies House, for the year to 24 October 2018, Bartlett Mitchell delivered a turnover of £45.6m and a profit before tax of £1.2m. Pre-pandemic it ran the catering at more than 100 locations and employed more than 1,000 people.

Like all caterers exposed to the business and industry market, Bartlett Mitchell had been significantly impacted by coronavirus with its main market of office employees all working from home.

Wendy Bartlett said that the deal would provide the business with “greater career opportunities and increased financial security”.

She said: “Bartlett Mitchell and BaxterStorey bring together market-leading training and people development expertise, talented teams and a strong focus on sustainability. Our BM family will benefit from greater career opportunities and increased financial security due to the company’s presence in multiple sectors, and their growing presence across Europe.”

Bartlett, who founded the business with Ian Mitchell in 2000, added that Bartlett Mitchell’s clients would now benefit from the combined resources of the businesses at a time when all caterers are examining their business models.

“With the workplace changing, this is a pivotal moment for our sector and this positions us ready and committed to seize this opportunity,” she said.

BaxterStorey co-chief executive and WSH director Noel Mahony (pictured above, with Bartlett) added: “I am delighted to welcome Wendy and the Bartlett Mitchell family to our business. Our industry is facing its toughest challenge to date and our combined resources will enable us to accelerate innovation and create a compelling food hospitality offer, building an even more resilient business. It's an increasingly challenging time for the sector but together we are stronger.”