The parent company of Royal Wootton Bassett-based specialist logistics and installations firm Bishopsgate is looking for further growth after completing a £25m buyout.
Bishopsgate is one of three subsidiaries of London-based logistics and removals group Ward Thomas Group, which was founded in 1985 and has annual revenues in excess of £20m. 
Ward secured a combined debt and equity package from London-based Mobeus Equity Partners to support the buyout. Ward employs more than 200 staff across its three divisions: Anthony Ward Thomas Master Removers, Aussie Man & Van and Bishopsgate.
Bishopsgate became part the group in 2008 and has occupied a 54,288 sq ft unit on Royal Wootton Bassett’s Interface Business Park for several years. Earlier this year it acquired the building from Leicester-based property fund managers Custodian.
The depot includes 48,138 sq ft of warehouse space and 3,442 sq ft of office accommodation with a service yard suitable for large vehicles.
Bishopsgate specialises in moving and installing sensitive and high-value equipment ranging from CT scanners to exhibition pieces. It also has depots in Glasgow, Manchester and London which, with its Royal Wootton Bassett operation, total 80,000 sq ft of hi-tech warehousing and storage space. The company owns a fleet of 65 vehicles.
Last June it acquired Allport Cargo Services’ specialist services business for an undisclosed sum.
Mobeus investment director Richard Babington said: “We are delighted to back an experienced and successful team who have established a group of real scale, having grown Bishopsgate into a national operator and developed Anthony Ward Thomas Master Removers and Aussie Man & Van into prominent removals and storage brands.
“We look forward to working with Anthony Ward Thomas and the entire team as they continue to build on the business’s outstanding reputation for high service quality.”
Mobeus was advised by Bristol law firm Burges Salmon (legal), HW Corporate Finance (financial due diligence), Fairgrove Partners (commercial due diligence), and PwC (tax).
The management team was advised by Flying Buttress Partners (corporate finance) and Sherrards Solicitors (legal).
