William Hare Group has been sold to an entrepreneur based in Manchester for an undisclosed sum.
Simon Orange – co-owner of rugby union club Sale Sharks and brother of Take That member Jason Orange – bought a majority stake in the constructional steel firm.
In a statement today, the contractor said the deal “further cements the long-term stability and future of the business, offering the market a clear sign of its ambitions under a single majority shareholder to continue to offer leading structural and engineered steel solutions”.
William Hare, which is ranked 68th in the CN100 index, employs nearly 2,000 staff and was incorporated as a limited company 80 years ago by Bartle Hodgkiss, son-in-law of William Hare, who started the business in 1888.
The firm has nine offices in the UK and also operates across Europe, the UAE and India.
Under the terms of the deal, Susan Hodgkiss, Bartle’s daughter, will continue to lead William Hare as its chief executive, alongside current director Matthew Nesbit.
The firm is the second-biggest steel contractor in the UK and has worked on flagship jobs including Hinkley Point C, Battersea Power Station, HS2 and the Royal Opera House.
Nesbit said the deal was an “exciting moment for William Hare and will support our continued growth”.
“The business is in a really strong financial position, with historically high levels of cash, providing clients the confidence to continue trusting us to deliver the quality and outcomes that we have built our reputation on,” he added.
“In the current climate, it’s clear the market needs confidence in its supply chain, and with our expertise and strong financial position we believe