BaxterSmith sets up Scottish arm

Independent business caterer BaxterSmith launched a new company this month to cover the Scottish market. It will be based in Edinburgh and headed by Alan Aitken, who was the managing director of Compass in Scotland and Northern Ireland from 1994 until last year, when he became a consultant.

Executive chairman William Baxter said BaxterSmith Scotland would aim to repeat the performance of the Buckinghamshire-based company, which started in 2000 and now has a turnover of £16m and 450 employees. Clients include Marriott Hotels, Scottish & Newcastle, DaimlerChrysler, Selfridges and Associated Newspapers.

Baxter said Scotland was an underdeveloped market, dominated by Sodexho and Compass, and there was room for a niche player. He said BaxterSmith aimed to bring the professionalism and commercialism of the high street into staff restaurants.