Keystone Law corporate partner Edward Dawes has advised the shareholders of Dukeshill Ham Company, a Royal Warrant-holding luxury cured meats specialist, on its management buy-in by private equity investor GC Investment Partners.

Shropshire-based Dukeshill was founded in 1985 and produces and supplies a range of premium fine foods direct to the consumer via both online and mail order and to select high-end trade partners. It also supplies ham to the Queen.

The management buy-in team comprises executives Mark Gallagher and Andy Culhane of GC Investment Partners along with chairman Des Smith, former chief executive of Aspall Cyder. Neale and Sarah Hollingsworth, who have owned the business since 1998, will remain with the business and work alongside the new owners for the foreseeable future.

Neale Hollingsworth said:

“We have worked with Edward for a number of years and he has really understood our business. His expert guidance and commercial and pragmatic approach was vital during this transaction, sensitively handling our interest whilst getting the deal done.”

Edward Dawes said:

“It was a pleasure to work with Neale and Sarah and the shareholders of Dukeshill on this important transaction. I look forward to watching the next phase of the company’s development, building on Neale and Sarah’s success over the last 23 years.”