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Leading Golf & Country Club sold by family after 25-year legacy

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12th December 2019 5 min read

The family behind Staffordshire based Branston Golf and Country Club have sold their award-winning leisure business after 25 years in the driving seat.

The Management Buyout (MBO) deal will see ownership transfer from the current owners, the Kerry family, to the Clubs current Managing Director, Ben Laing, and four members of a local family.

Recognised as one of the leading golf clubs in the Midlands, nestled on the River Trent, the club has cultivated an enviable reputation and established a large and loyal client base. Roger Kerry, the visionary who has been driving the business for the last 25 years, initially set out with a dream to establish a premium championship golf club on the outskirts of Burton.

Fast forward 25 years and Branston is much more than just a golf club. Having expanded its facilities and services steadily over time, the club now offers a variety of memberships and health and wellbeing opportunities, clubhouse, wedding and conference facilities, as well as a salon and spa.

David Nelson, Senior Partner here at Smith Cooper advised the vendor throughout the transaction, guiding Roger and his family through the MBO process. He comments “Branston Golf and Country Club has built an outstanding reputation across the region, not only because of its exceptional golfing facilities, but because of the multitude of inclusive facilities it offers, underpinned by first class service.”

“It was a pleasure to advise the vendors on the successful Buyout, and I am pleased we were able to secure a great outcome for the Kerry family. I wish the team at Branston every success, and I look forward to watching the business flourish even further under its new owners, who are passionate about retaining the clubs core values.”

Legal advice was provided by Else Law (vendor side) and Flint Bishop (buyer side).

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Smith Cooper Corporate Finance are an award-winning, top 10 regional team of advisors who specialise in the sale of companies on behalf of corporate clients, entrepreneurs and owner-managers. To learn more, please get in touch.