This is more than a 14% increase in turnover compared to 2011 and marks the company’s twelfth strong year of growth. Since creating WSH in December 2000 the business has grown to a turnover of more than £465m in 2012.
Alastair Storey, chief executive of WSH, said: “I’m exceptionally proud of the outstanding results being achieved across our businesses, and would like to thank our staff for their energy, hard work, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.
“Our continued commitment to providing the highest quality service and using fresh locally sourced produce has ensured that we are able to consistently defy the downturn, in spite of increasingly challenging economic conditions.
“2013 looks set to be yet another fragile year for both the UK and European economies, but we have already secured some exciting new contract wins and retentions for this year and are encouraged by the strength of our current pipeline.
“Importantly, the success we have achieved to date allows us our major investment in training and development of our teams which we believe will build towards an even stronger future.”
WSH continued to buck tough economic conditions last year with impressive financials from a succession of contract wins and renewals.
Its combined businesses – BaxterStorey, Caterlink, Holroyd Howe, Benugo and Portico – have also supported the UK economy with the creation of 1,000 new jobs in 2012, taking the total number of employees to more than 12,000 across the UK and Europe.
BaxterStorey, the UK’s largest independent business and industry caterer and the biggest brand in the WSH stable, grew its turnover by 9% in England and Wales, 17% in Ireland and 29% in Scotland during 2012.
In this time, the business has gained contracts with many notable names including RBS Group, as well as retained significant contracts with leading organisations such as Deutsche Bank and IPC Media.