Catering Firm in the Top 100 in the South
Wilson Storey Halliday (WSH) Group, whose head office is in Oaklands Park off Fishponds Road, was recognised as the 83rd most successful private business in a survey compiled by Stevensdrake Solicitors in Crawley.
The survey drew on criteria such as increase in sales, substantial profit rise and staff personnel and salary increases. WSH Group supplies food to people at 170 work places around the country and employs 1,600 people.
Keith Wilson, co-owner and commercial director of WSH, said "We've been in the area since 1985 and in the last few years we've seen some great growth. We are dependent on the individuals in the business who are out there serving our clients. The success of the business is really down to them. We've been delighted with the success and it's very pleasing to be named in this and for the people working in the business to know that they are recognised."
Statisticians at Stevendrake believe the success of private businesses in the South is down to a number of factors including excellent productivity, an attractive area for skilled professionals and close proximity to Heathrow and Gatwick airports, making it easier to trade overseas.
Mike O'Halloran, commercial partner at Stevendrake, said: "It is not the ultimate accolade to float the company you've successfully developed, and become chairman or CEO of a fully listed company. In our research, we found that highly successful directors of privately-owned companies value the flexibility to move fast in the commercial arena without worrying about the reaction of the City and the interpretations of analysts. It is the private ambitions of these owner-directors that ensure they achieve their goals and this forms the backbone to a flourishing private business community in the south."
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