Reading: CH&Co Group and Concerto Group announce merger

CH&Co Group has today announced its merger with the events catering and services company, Concerto Group.

The move puts the business in an enviable position of being able to offer clients a one-stop shop that meets all event requirements – from venue finding and booking to catering, production and entertainment – something that no other caterer can currently offer.

In the increasingly competitive events industry, combining the resources and expertise of these two successful, innovative companies will strengthen the Group’s reach and competitive edge, and realise new growth potential, particularly in conference centres and large-scale arenas. The merger also opens up new opportunities within the hotel sector.

The development increases the Group’s turnover to £300 million and it will now provide catering at over 750 sites across the UK and Ireland, employing more than 6200 people.

Concerto Group’s CEO, Adam Elliott, will continue to head up the business and its brands which include leading event caterer, Create, and brands such as Ultimate Experience, event management; bespoke event full service management agency, Mask; corporate teambuilding business, Eventwise; venue finding specialists, Venueseeker; and Christmas and summer party specialists, JD Parties.  Concerto also operates at a number of prestigious venues around the UK including The Pavilion at The Tower of London, Old Billingsgate, Honourable Artillery Company, Roundhouse, Plaisterers’ Hall and The Royal Liver Building in Liverpool. This month Concerto opened up The Lampery restaurant in a new food and beverage venture with APEX Hotels.

The deal is a positive move for both companies, says CH&Co Group’s CEO, Bill Toner: “CH&Co Group and Concerto Group are both well-known and respected players achieving great things in the events market so our union is a very positive development. Both companies bring a great mix of talent, expertise, creativity, resources and assets to the party, and together we create a really attractive proposition in this highly-competitive arena. It also gives us an introduction into the hotel sector. This new territory for CH&Co Group is an area I know well and it's a very exciting prospect.

“This is great news for our clients too. We’ll be able to offer additional services such as teambuilding events and specialist party and event options in many locations around the country. CH&Co Group has grown rapidly in recent years through welcoming a number of businesses into the family. As well as making sure this always makes perfect business sense, we’re committed to ensuring our people benefit from enhanced working practices and greater development opportunities that such growth offers. This is no different, and we look forward to welcoming the Concerto Group team to our extended family."

Elliott added: “For our clients and our teams it’s very much business as usual. As we enter what is perhaps the busiest time of the year for the events industry, our clients will enjoy the great food and service that our reputation is built on. Looking forward, we will be working closely with our new colleagues to pool resources and expertise to maximise the strength of the partnership and capitalise on the new growth potential available to us. The year ahead is going to be very exciting.

“Culturally, the two businesses are a great fit. Looking after our clients and our people is at the heart of what we both do, and as a result, we are able to fulfil our desire to consistently deliver innovative and delicious food and great service that delights and surprises our clients and our teams.”