Castle Square advise on the disposal of artisan food services specialist




Shoreditch based West Hill Acquisitions (WHAL) have acquired Crawley based artisan food services supplier Jeanie Marshal Foods (JMF) in a transaction that creates a multi-disciplinary food services Group offering a wide range of catering products into the UK hospitality sector.

JMF specialise in the supply of high-quality bespoke artisan foods and catering services to a number of business sectors throughout the UK.

Formed in the mid-1990’s, JMF initially supplied catering products to airline caterers throughout the UK. Over the last 25 years, the business has diversified into other business sectors including the rail industry, retail, educational and hospitality. During this time JMF established itself as the preferred food services partner for the likes of Momentum Services (who supply catering onboard the Eurostar), Virgin Trains and East Midland Trains.

JMF Directors, Dave Wood and Ben Lewis will join Christoph Haschka (Group CEO), Andy Trinder (Group CFO), Rob Pollard (General Manager Chiltern Foods) and Lewis Lovejoy (CTO) on the WHAL Groups Operations Board.

Dave Wood, Managing Director at JMF said “I am very proud of our achievements at Jeanie Marshal Foods. The team has done an outstanding job over the last 25 years and we have established ourselves as the leading producer of artisan catering solutions in the UK. I am personally excited to bring my wide knowledge and expertise to West Hill Acquisitions and looking forward to a bright future within the new Group.”

WHAL and its subsidiaries procure, produce and supply a range of dry, cold and hot catering products for a variety of sectors across the UK, acting in partnership with some of the globes most recognisable brands including Frankie & Benny’s and British Airways.

The acquisition is a cornerstone transaction for WHAL Group having completed the acquisition of OfficeServe Technologies Limited and Chiltern Food Group since formation in early 2017.

Christoph Haschka, WHAL Group CEO said “We are excited to announce a further step in the establishment of a leading UK food services business through the acquisition of Jeanie Marshal Foods. Their products, skills and capabilities supplement our existing businesses Chiltern Foods and OfficeServe. As a Group, we are in a unique position to utilise the full depth of the product offering and also realise synergies through the newly formed Operating Board which ensures a dynamic and cooperative eco-system. I want to thank Dave Wood and Ben Lewis for their fantastic work in building JMF and I am delighted to welcome them to the Group.”

Sheffield based deal-making firm Castle Square Corporate Finance, led by Director Steve Bell, advised the shareholders of JMF on the transaction, identifying the acquirer, providing advice on the structure and negotiating terms.

Steve Bell, Director at Castle Square said “Having been introduced to Dave Wood and the JMF team by a mutual contact we are delighted to have advised the shareholders on the landmark transaction with WHAL. JMF is recognised as a premium supplier of artisan food with a reputation for innovation. It's rewarding to have completed a transaction that will deliver long-term investment into the enlarged Group”.

Expert legal advisors Taylor Walton led by Partner Mike Pettit provided legal advice to the JMF shareholders.

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