Eurest swoops on Caterskill

French caterer Eurest International, which last year acquired Leith's, has taken a further step towards a national UK presence with the purchase of Midlands-based Caterskill.

The acquisition earlier this week, the terms of which are not being disclosed, gives Eurest 110 contracts in a mix of industrial and office locations, with a turnover of £12.5m and 500 employees.

Caterskill, which was set up in 1986 by a group of ex-Hamard Catering executives, will retain its identity as a separate division within Eurest UK led by chief executive Michael Pearson.

A spokeswoman for Eurest said the existing management team would remain with the business, although industry sources suggested at least one of the directors was considering moving on.

Within industry circles, further acquisitions by Eurest are considered likely in the New Year.