Hospitality and catering company Aspire Hospitality Ltd has purchased London-based business Inn or Out and Northampton-based business Portfolio Events to expand its reach and operations across the UK.
Chief executive and sole owner of Acquire, Sean Valentine, recently split with long-term business partner Steven Saunders ‘by mutual agreement’ to focus on running their own individual businesses.
This followed a seven-year partnership which included the catering operations at seven British Grand Prix and also the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit in 2009.
Valentine said: “The purchase of Inn or Out (formerly owned and managed by Lena Björck) and Portfolio Events (set up by Sue Wood in 1984 and now run by her daughter Billie Passchier) will enable the extended company to operate on a truly national scale, with its infrastructure stretching from Leeds to London, and newly established headquarters in Bermondsey, London.
“Regional offices in Northampton and Leeds will allow the company to effectively serve the fixed sites where they are the onsite caterers, including Ragley Hall and Harewood House.
“Both acquired companies already have well-established operations in this sector, as listed caterers in some extremely iconic and prestigious sites including Althorp House in Northamptonshire and Banqueting House in London.
“The acquisition of these two brands will strengthen Aspire Hospitality’s business with proven expertise and delivery in the catering and events sector from Inn or Out since 1997 and Portfolio Events since 2004.
“Aspire will build on its newly-reinforced foundations to continue to deliver restaurant-style standard, high quality catering within the events sector and their fixed site venues.”
Saunders plans to continue his relationship with Silverstone as chief executive of Silverstone Hospitality Ltd, providing all the fixed-site catering for the circuit 365 days a year.
The newly-extended Aspire has 44 full-time employees, £5.5m annual turnover and operates under five brand names (Aspire Hospitality Ltd, Inn or Out, which includes sub-brand Langoustine, Portfolio Events, and the newly acquired gastro pub The Pack Saddle at Mapledurham, Berkshire).