Senate buys Oasis for extra security

In a bid to offer more than just catering to its clients, contractor Senate Food Services has acquired security firm Oasis Support Services.

Senate was formed in September by Tim Cookson, formerly managing director of education services at Gardner Merchant. It has already won 12 contracts and is predicting turnover of £3.5m by the end of its first financial year.

Clients include some Oxford colleges, public schools, and three nursing homes in Sussex.

Oasis operates 28 security and office support service contracts and turns over £2.25m. It was based in Brentford, Middlesex, but will move to Senate's offices in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.

Cookson said of the deal: "It gives us a broader spectrum of services to offer and that's what people seem to be looking for from smaller companies. It also broadens our contract base immediately."

Cookson also hopes to persuade Oasis clients to switch their catering contracts to Senate.