Host Management acquires catering and vending business

Host Management's spending spree continues with the announcement that it has acquired catering and vending business Style Services Group for an undisclosed sum.

Style services, which was founded in 2007 by John Rathbone, Ruth Fenton and Jim Walker, employs 95 people. It has a combined turnover of £1.9m and operates in business and industry, the government sector, leisure and retail.

Its portfolio of contracts includes the Highways Agency Regional Offices in Manchester and Bedford, the Home Office National Police Database in Hendon and the Department for Transport in Westminster.

Style also holds the catering contract at Wedgwood, Waterford and Royal Doulton near Stoke-on-Trent where it operates a staff restaurant, visitor centre restaurant, coffee shop and vending facilities.

Following the acquisition John Rathbone has joined Host as client relations director, while Ruth Fenton has moved into the role of purchasing manager. Jim Walker left Style in 2009.

Commenting on the acquisition, Host chief executive Bill Toner said: "This is a good strategic fit and we are delighted that Host will also benefit from the combined experience of both John and Ruth. For Style's existing contracts it is very much business as usual but with the additional backup and support of a larger, national organisation.

The announcement comes just one month after Host dismissed rumours that it was set to buy Graysons Restaurants, which has earlier this year sold its education arm to Brookwood Partnership.

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