Philadelphia-based Aramark announced Thursday that it had acquired independent foodservice company Wilson Vale in the United Kingdom.
Wilson Vale will join the Aramark UK business, part of Aramark Northern Europe operations, to drive growth and service delivery for the small, premium business and industry segments in the UK, as well as the independent school segment.
“Aramark is delighted to wholly acquire the Wilson Vale business in the UK,” Helen Milligan-Smith, managing director of Aramark UK, said. “This authentic, well run, high-quality business fits perfectly with the culture, values, and growth ambition for Aramark here.”
Co-founded and operated by industry leaders, Andrew Wilson and Carolyne Vale, Wilson Vale is an independent caterer operating with seasonality, ingredient quality and local sourcing at its core. The strength of the brand alignment with Aramark, and the two companies’ shared vision for growth, will allow Wilson Vale to operate as an autonomous brand within Aramark’s portfolio, retaining its leadership team, employees, clients, suppliers and customers.
“This is an extremely rare opportunity to become part of a larger family where the values and principles of our business can be fully retained,” Andrew Wilson, co-founder and managing director of Wilson Vale, said. “Without doubt, one of the most pleasing things over the last two decades has been the way in which our people have developed, and in turn, how they have evolved the services we provide to our clients. These have always been the most important things to us, and they will continue to be as we embark on the next generation of growth with the benefit and support of Aramark’s ownership.”