A £46m-turnover Leeds-based wholesaler of fresh produce and flowers has become an employee-owned business.
Gilbert Thompson (Leeds) Ltd was established in 1946 by Gilbert Thompson. It is now managed by the fourth generation of Thompsons, brothers Daniel and Richard.
The brothers are transferring 80 per cent of shares to an employee-owned trust (EOT) for the benefit of employees. They will remain joint managing directors.
Based at the Yorkshire Produce Centre in Leeds, the company operates in two main fields: fresh produce and flowers and plants.
Through its fresh produce businesses, GT Produce Ltd & C Scruton (Produce) Ltd, the company supplies fresh produce from around the world. It has been wholesaling fresh produce in Leeds and throughout Yorkshire for more than 75 years.
The floral side of the business, GT Flowers Ltd, supplies flowers for all occasions and operates one of the largest wholesale cash and carries in the UK. It stocks more than 5,000 lines of floristry supplies, constantly adding new lines to keep up with current trends. As well as flowers, it offers a dedicated indoor and outdoor plant area.
Daniel and Richard Thomson, joint managing directors at Gilbert Thompson, said: “It’s such a proud moment to be able to hand over Gilbert Thompson. Transferring ownership into our amazing team’s hands ensures our culture and values live on, which was one of the most important factors to us in considering any next chapter for the company.
“We firmly believe this next chapter as an employee-owned business is just reward for the hard work and talent of our brilliant team. Becoming employee-owned is about maintaining and building on our unique family culture. Creating a great place to work is fundamental to our business principles, and we’re excited about the next stage of Gilbert Thompson’s journey.”
Gilbert Thompson was advised by Tariq Javaid, Karen Sadler, Richard Weston and Patrick Cree at Azets. Peter Turk and Paul Trudgilll at Knights provided legal advice.
Tariq Javaid, corporate finance partner at Azets, said: “Gilbert Thompson is a business exceptionally well-suited for employee ownership, being an organisation with a strong family culture, firmly established values and an emphasis on the quality of its people.
“It has been a privilege to work with Daniel, Richard and the team in assisting them with this transition, and I am confident that Gilbert Thompson has a bright future as an employee-owned business.”
