Reading: CH&Co grows to £265m turnover with latest merger

Harbour & Jones, the independent and innovative caterer, has merged with Reading-based CH&Co Group in a move that enhances the group’s diverse portfolio of specialist businesses and strengthens its position across the hospitality market, and particularly in education and the London region. 

The merger increases the Group’s turnover to £265 million and it will now provide catering at over 700 sites across the UK and Ireland, employing more than 6,000 people.

Harbour & Jones’ founders and managing partners, Patrick Harbour and Nathan Jones, will continue in their roles and the business and its brands, H+J, Fare, Tonic, Principals and Upfront, will maintain the names for which they are known and respected.

As the catering market continues to be increasingly competitive and challenging, compounded by global political influences, merging the resources and expertise of these two progressive companies will extend the reach of both in the business and industry, leisure, heritage, events, and education sectors, allowing them to continue to vigorously compete and grow.

The deal was the right fit for both companies, said CH&Co Group CEO Bill Toner: “Harbour & Jones and CH&Co Group are both dynamic businesses enjoying sustained growth. By combining our assets, knowledge, skills and expertise we will increase our strength to compete across the board, which is a very exciting prospect.

“CH&Co Group is a collection of small businesses with their own distinct characters and specialisms. We’ve undertaken a number of mergers in recent years and have proven that being part of a larger company doesn’t dilute a business’ personality or personal touch. Quite the opposite in fact, it gives each one access to the group’s robust resources, systems and support to allow them to continually innovate and vigorously compete. We’re thrilled to have Harbour & Jones join the CH&Co Group family and we look forward to realising the opportunities this merger creates for the business, our clients and our teams.”

Harbour said: “For our clients and our teams it’s very much business as usual. We’ll continue to deliver the great food and service for which we have become known but behind the scenes we’ll be looking at how we can all pool our creativity and our verve to strengthen all the businesses within the newly-expanded CH&Co family. I’m looking forward to working with our new colleagues in the merged business and excited by the opportunities it will bring for all of us.”

Jones added: “It’s been clear from the outset that CH&Co Group is a great fit for Harbour & Jones. The merger also makes sense on a cultural level. Both businesses are made up of well-established, high-calibre brands with strong values. We’re driven by a desire to deliver delicious, innovative food and great service, and to uphold our strong reputation for looking after people.”