Nurture consolidates its expansion into Scotland with acquisition

Nurture Group has bolstered its operations in Scotland having acquired green services business, Roy Cowie Ltd.

Founded by Roy and Heather Cowie in 1994, the Aberdeen-based company operates across the northeast of Scotland, and provides a comprehensive range of services from commercial and domestic grounds maintenance, landscape construction, garden maintenance, tree surgery, gritting and snow clearing.

The business has steadily built up a formidable reputation in the region, with respected customer names in its growing portfolio including Aberdeen Airport, Prime Four Business Park, Grampian Housing and Richard Irvine FM. In addition, the company holds Royal Warrants to the late Queen Elizabeth II, and the Prince of Wales for their work at Balmoral Castle and Birkhall.

With annual sales approaching £4 million, Roy Cowie’s portfolio of work aligns perfectly with Nurture Groups’ existing provision in the Aberdeen area, including a recent major contract win with a multi-national energy company, with the intention therefore to bring this portfolio under the management of Roy Cowie’s team of 60. Once fully integrated, Nurture anticipates a considerable presence in the region, totalling 133 colleagues and 67 vans, split across landscape maintenance, landscape construction, winter gritting and tree surgery. Winter gritting will be provided from 841 sites, serviced by 24 dedicated gritting vans.

Commenting on the acquisition Nurture’s Executive Chairman, Peter Fane said: “We are thrilled to be bringing Roy Cowie into the Nurture Group. Our earliest journey into Scotland really started when we acquired Parkview Landscapes in 2012, which brought with it a wide range of contracts in Scotland. But this is a landmark deal for us, affording us a strong foundation to fully integrate our green and winter services across the whole of the northeast of Scotland, and beyond.

“It’s important to us here at Nurture to ensure transitions are seamless, which is why we welcome Roy, who will continue in a consultative role and Operations Director, Cameron Paterson, who himself has been with the business for more than 25 years, remaining integral to operations alongside Nurture Groups’ Director for Scotland, Brian Carswell, while we integrate the two companies. Roy Cowie Ltd’s enviable customer service and commitment to quality mirrors our own ethos, making this a perfect partnership for all concerned.”

This marks Nurture’s 46th acquisition since it was founded in 2008, and the fourth in Scotland since 2012.