United UK strengthens growth ambitions with new investment partnership

Investment from CEO Darren Lloyd alongside Apera and Sovereign Stone and Vidaholm marks the beginning of the next phase of growth for United UK and its hospitality proposition.

United UK is pleased to announce a change in ownership and legal entity as the  business begins an exciting new chapter in its development. 

As part of the transition, United UK welcomes investment from CEO Darren Lloyd  alongside Apera Asset Management (Apera) and Sovereign Stone Capital Partners  (SSCP), creating a strong investment partnership and providing a platform to support  the company’s future ambitions and accelerate its growth within the hospitality sector. 

As part of the transition, the business has also moved from an LLP to a limited  company, supporting its next phase of development. 

The business would also like to recognise and thank Kevin James and Clive Sanders for  their contribution to United UK over the years. Their involvement has played an  important part in the United UK journey, and everyone across the business wishes them  every success and happiness for the future. 

The new investment marks a significant step forward for United UK and cements the  company’s intention to drive sustainable growth within the hospitality industry, with a  particular focus on supporting multi-site operators. 

United UK’s focus remains firmly on helping hospitality businesses simplify and  strengthen their non-food supply chains. Through long-term customer partnerships,  expert support and a continually evolving proposition, the business aims to help operators achieve greater consistency, efficiency and value across their estates. 

The change provides an opportunity to build on United UK’s existing foundations while  investing for the future, strengthening the business’s ability to support both existing  customers and new partners as they grow. 

Darren Lloyd, CEO, said: 

“This is an incredibly exciting next chapter for United UK. I’m delighted to be investing  personally in the business and its future alongside Apera and SSCP. We have ambitious plans for United UK, and this investment and our new partnership give us an even  stronger platform from which to deliver them. 

“Our focus now is firmly on what comes next. We see a significant opportunity to grow  our presence within hospitality and to work with more multi-site operators who are  looking for a supply partner that can simplify their non-food purchasing, deliver genuine  value and support their wider business objectives. 

“While our ownership is changing, our commitment to our customers, colleagues and  partners remains as strong as ever, and we’re hugely excited about the next stage of the  United UK journey.”

Notes to editors 

About United UK 

United UK is a non-food supply partner supporting multi-site hospitality operators. The  business works with customers to simplify their supply chain and purchasing  requirements, bringing products, service, technology, sustainable solutions and  expertise together through a single partnership. 

About Apera Asset Management 

Apera Asset Management is a leading pan-European private credit specialist providing  private capital solutions to lower mid-market businesses across Europe. Apera has a  strong track record of partnering with businesses and their shareholders to support  long-term growth. Since foundation in 2016, Apera has deployed approximately €7 billion across more than 120 transactions. Apera is majority-owned by Franklin  Templeton, one of the world’s leading global investment management firms, with  approximately $1.8 trillion in assets under management. 

About Sovereign Stone 

Sovereign Stone Capital Partners is a private investment firm focused on supporting  and growing mid-market businesses in the UK and Southern Europe. Its investment  interests include hospitality and leisure, supply chain and logistics, B2B services and  technology, and energy, with an emphasis on active, long-term partnerships.

About Vidaholm Capital

Vidaholm Capital is a London-based private investment house that invests alongside founders of European B2B technology and services businesses. Its partners are experienced investors and operators, providing engaged support to entrepreneurial management teams.