Golf and country club changes hands

Branston Golf & Country Club in Burton-on-Trent has been acquired by its current managing director and four members of a local family.

In addition to MD Ben Laing, the other members of the buy-out group include Steve and Francesca Sharp and their in-laws Marcus and Abby Litting. Sharp already has a relationship with the club, having joined as HR manager in 2014.

Adam Gilbert, head of corporate and commercial at Else Solicitors, completed the sale on behalf of his client Roger Kerry and his family on Friday 6 December.

The new owners have vowed to adopt a “business as usual” approach to the running of the club.

Gilbert said: “The Kerry family have nurtured a first class business during their 25 year reign over the club. Roger Kerry was the visionary who ignored the ‘that’s never going to work’ attitudes when he first embarked on his dreams to establish a ‘premium championship golf club’ right here in Burton.

“Against all the odds the family have developed a much loved, award winning establishment at the heart of Burton. It is for this reason, I am delighted and privileged to have been instructed to represent the family in securing the club’s bright future under the very capable hands of its new owners.”

Smith Cooper and Flint Bishop also instructed on the deal.