In a joint statement, independent caterer and Royal Warrant holding company, CH&CO, and boutique caterer, Vacherin, have announced that Vacherin has joined the CH&CO family of catering businesses.
Vacherin, based in London’s Hatton Garden area, has a turnover of £30m and 45 operations across London working with a broad range of discerning clients and providing hospitality catering and reception services at the highest level.
Vacherin was founded in 2002 by Mark Philpott and Clive Hetherington and they were joined in 2006 by Phil Roker, who became Managing Director of the business in 2016.
Vacherin has enjoyed consistent organic growth and award-winning performance over the years and has a strong food and sustainability culture with the service offer being completely tailored and focussed on their clients’ business requirements.
All three owners will continue to be involved in the business and retain a financial interest. Phil Roker will continue as Managing Director and clients will still be working with the same team.
Mark Philpott, Chairman of Vacherin, commented, “We’ve been impressed by the way other organisations have transitioned into the CH&CO family, which now has an established model of successfully bringing together businesses with similar cultures and strategies.
'This deal sets Vacherin up perfectly for further growth and as part of a larger organisation, our team will also have access to more and wider opportunities for development and career progression.”
Clive Hetherington, Vacherin’s Executive Finance Director, added: “Now as part of CH&CO, Vacherin benefits from the support of a larger business to help us address some of the challenges a growing company like ours faces, particularly in areas like technology and systems, and these will help enhance our administration processes.”
Phil Roker, Managing Director of Vacherin, said, “The past few years have seen Vacherin consistently grow and we were at the stage where we needed to either seek significant investment to take the company to the next level, or join forces with another successful company and grow with them. I’m delighted we’ve chosen to grow with CH&CO.
'Vacherin will continue providing catering and front of house experiences with a difference by delivering exceptional food, drink and wellbeing initiatives that make our clients' businesses stand out from the crowd.”
The addition of Vacherin to the CH&CO family sees the company expand its portfolio significantly in this dynamic region.
Bill Toner, CEO of CH&CO, said, “I would like to extend a very warm welcome to Mark, Clive, Phil and the whole Vacherin team. Vacherin has achieved significant success and has been a strong operator in the London market for many years.
'While it is very much business as usual, this next stage for both Vacherin and CH&CO will be about giving the combined business the resources to perform even more effectively in this very competitive marketplace and sharing innovation and tactics to help us all become stronger and deliver exceptional food and service to our clients.”
The addition of Vacherin to the CH&CO Group adds over 600 employees to the wider team.
Pictured from left to right: Bill Toner, CEO, CH&CO; Clive Hetherington, Executive Finance Director, Vacherin; Mark Philpott, Chairman, Vacherin; Phil Roker, Managing Director, Vacherin.