Trowers & Hamlins has advised the Highnam family shareholders on the sale of the entire issued share capital of Blackmore Vale Farm Cream Limited (BV Dairy) to First Milk.
BV Dairy is a successful manufacturer of specialist chilled dairy products based in Dorset. It services customers throughout England, Wales and Scotland, offering a comprehensive end-to-end solution to customers across food manufacturing and food service, as well as offering co-manufacturing.
Corporate Partner, Stuart Mathews, led the Trowers team, comprising lawyers from multiple specialisms including Corporate (Matt Libby and Luke Cummings), Banking and Finance (Simon Valner and Anna Beckett), Real Estate (Kelly Brown and Ellice Sparks), and Employment (John Turnbull and Steph Taylor). The deal completed with financial and taxation advice from Paul Stout, Chris Potts and Brad Anderson of PKF Francis Clark.
Commenting on the announcement, Stuart said:
"We are thrilled to have supported the Highnam family on the sale of BV Dairy. As a multi-generation family business, we were privileged to be entrusted to represent the family shareholders and deliver a sale that will secure the long-term future of this hugely successful South West business."
Shelagh Hancock, Chief Executive of First Milk added:
"I am delighted to complete the acquisition of BV Dairy, a successful family-owned business, which shares many common values with First Milk – a focus on people and community, environmental performance, exceptional quality and long-term value creation. We look forward to welcoming the wider BV Dairy family into our First Milk family."
Jim Highnam, Managing Director of BV Dairy, said:
"Having made the decision to sell the business, we wanted to ensure that the new owners would provide a secure future for our customers, colleagues, farmers and suppliers. As such, I’m pleased to finalise this transaction and see BV Dairy become part of First Milk, as both businesses share a down-to-earth, pragmatic approach, balancing the needs of all stakeholders. I look forward to working with our new First Milk colleagues to continue to grow and develop BV Dairy."
Of the advice and support from Trowers, Jim Highnam said:
"The advice and support from Stuart and the Trowers team has been first class. We have been so impressed with their professional advice and support which has assisted us to navigate our way through this process. They were always available with sanguine guidance, sometimes before we even knew that we were going to need it. I would whole-heartedly recommend the services of Stuart and the team at Trowers."
