Revenues grow for ‘flexible’ caterer

Leicestershire caterer Wilson Vale has posted a revenue rise of 11% to just under £34m for the year-ending 31 December 2018.

The firm says turnover was buoyed by “significant” retentions and new business.

Six new business gains throughout the year include Herne Hill School, Wilson Vale’s first independent school in Central London; Kent College, a large independent boarding school in Pembridge, and Lane End, an award-winning conference centre near High Wycombe.

Andrew Wilson, co-founder of Wilson Vale, said: “It’s good to report that our continued investment in our management structure and resources have resulted in a positive set of numbers for 2018.

“Investment on its own, of course, is never enough. Hard work, commitment, innovation, enjoyment and strong determination to maintain the highest level of client service standards go hand-in-hand with it. Our retentions are undoubtedly as a result of this focus on relationships with our clients.”

Wilson Vale now has a portfolio of 95 clients.

“We continue, some would say in an old-fashioned conservative model, to have no debt or bank facilities. This gives us flexibility and financial autonomy, ensuring that we maintain control at all times,” said Wilson.

Year end 2018 shows that Wilson Vale employs 818 people, many of whom have grown with the business and have been developed in-house.

Wilson expects the trend of careful turnover and profit growth to continue in 2019, but he believes that this is unlikely to be at the same level as 2018.

He said: “We have a strong management team in place that has the capacity to cope comfortably with our expected growth this year. Of course, we are not immune to a potential fall in business confidence, but we are fortunate to partner with strong successful businesses and our focus will remain on supporting them and keeping our food and service standards high.”

Wilson Vale’s projected annual turnover for 2019 is £35.5m.