Springboard is pleased to announce that it has advised on the sale of Dukeshill Ham Company Limited (“Dukeshill”) to a management buy-in team supported by GC Investment Partners.
Dukeshill, based in Shropshire was founded in 1985 and has been under the stewardship of Neale and Sarah Hollingsworth since 1998. Dukeshill holds the Royal Warrant as manufacturer and supplier of ham to HM the Queen.
Dukeshill produces and supplies a broad range of premium quality fine foods direct to the consumer via both online and mail order and to select high end trade partners. Retaining its specialism in cooked and cured hams, today Dukeshill commands a product range that spans meats, charcuterie and delicatessen items, cheeses, fish, puddings and cakes as well as seasonal items such as Christmas hampers.
The incoming management team comprises executives Mark Gallagher and Andy Culhane of GC Investment Partners along with chairman Des Smith, former CEO of Aspall Cyder. Neale and Sarah Hollingsworth will remain with the business and work alongside the new owners for the foreseeable future.
Dukeshill shareholders were advised on the transaction by Springboard Simon Ward and Executive Tom Hammond. Simon commented “Dukeshill is a business built on impeccable brand values and luxury, provenance rich products that have seen it increase revenues year on year for more than a decade. We are delighted to have assisted Neale and Sarah in realising value for their life’s work and wish the new owners all the best as they develop the business further.”
Neale Hollingsworth CEO, Dukeshill Ham Company
"From the first steps of identifying a buyer to the final stages of negotiations, Springboard gave our inexperienced team great advice and support. They patiently talked us through every step of the sale process, helped us to collate and present large amounts of commercial and financial data and led us through sensitive negotiations to achieve the best value for our business.”
