An interiors firm with bases in Newcastle and York has been acquired by three of its senior leadership team in a management buyout.
Ben Johnson Ltd, which works with firms to design and fit out office spaces, operates across the North East and Yorkshire from its own offices at Hoults Yard in Newcastle and Middlethorpe Business Park near York. Emma Dodsley, Lee Fleming and Matthew Day have become equal shareholders in the company following a deal for an undisclosed sum.
The trio will continue their respective roles in sales and marketing, finance and operations and delivery. The firm has said the deal is part of a planned succession strategy which also included the sale of Ben Johnson's Technology Managed Print Services business in 2018, and its Workplace Supplies business in 2019.
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Exiting owner Adrian Rumble, who has been managing director of Ben Johnson Ltd since 2003, said: "I am so proud of my exceptional, forward-thinking management team who have completed this MBO of Ben Johnson Ltd. I am confident that the company will continue to grow and be highly successful under their innovative leadership. This is a positive succession step for the company that maintains the significant provenance of Ben Johnson Ltd as a progressive brand."
Emma Dodsley, who joined the company in 2010, added: "I have worked for the business for over 12 years and am immensely proud to be part of this great team. Along with my new partners, I’m excited to continue driving the business forward, enabling us to grow our team, explore new opportunities and further establish Ben Johnson Ltd as a leader in the commercial interiors field."
Lee Fleming, Emma Dodsley and Matthew Day were advised by Susan Clark at LCF Law, who is a partner in LCF Law’s corporate team. She said: “Ben Johnson Ltd is a successful and longstanding Yorkshire business with a rich heritage and solid reputation across the north of England and beyond.
"We’re also fortunate to have first-hand experience of the quality of Ben Johnson’s work, following the company overseeing the interior design and fit-outs of three of our offices in Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate. It’s been a pleasure to guide Lee, Emma and Matt through this MBO, and there’s no doubt the business is in safe hands and has an exciting future ahead."
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