W&R Barnett acquires major shareholding in Symphony Group
Belfast-based W&R Barnett has acquired a majority shareholding in the Symphony Group, including The Symphony Group plc, for an undisclosed sum.
Belfast-based W&R Barnett has acquired a majority shareholding in the Symphony Group, including The Symphony Group plc, for an undisclosed sum.
W&R Barnett is a fourth-generation family business committed to owning and investing in successful operating businesses and their employees.
Founded in 1896, the W&R Barnett group has grown from its origins as a grain merchant in Northern Ireland to a group of commodity trading and industrial businesses across the globe.
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The current beneficial owners of the Symphony Group, Doug Gregory and his family, will retain a “significant” share in the business and be represented at board level.
Recently appointed managing director Paul Whitehouse, who has been with the business for 23 years, will continue to lead the Symphony executive team.
W&R Barnett CEO William Barnett commented: ‘‘We are very excited to invest in the Symphony Group and look forward to working with the management team to continue its success and growth.’’
Paul Whitehouse, Symphony Group MD, commented ‘‘W&R Barnett’s investment will place the Symphony Group in a strong position for long term success and strengthen our position as market leader.
“This deal will deliver security to all our stakeholders – employees, customers and suppliers.
“We share with W&R Barnett many core values including a commitment to employee welfare, excellent customer service, innovation and an appetite for growth.’’
The Symphony Group plc was founded in 1971 and is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture under its Laura Ashley Fitted Furniture, Gallery, Linear, Koncept and Urbano brands.
The group supplies nationally to private developers, social housing providers, merchants and independent retailers.
With a turnover of more than £325m in 2024 the Symphony Group employs over 1800 people on four sites in Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
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Sintered stone manufacturer Neolith has launched Calacatta Roma and Cappadocia Sunset, inspired by nature and classical architecture, and for use in kitchens or bathrooms walls, floors, in gardens or facades.
They belong to The New Classtone and Fusioncollections which interpret marble and natural stone, respectively, and boast Neolith’s antibacterial NeolEAT technology.
Inspired by Ancient Rome, Calacatta Roma (pictured top) pays homage to Italian Carrara marble, with ochre and grey veins in a white background.
While the Cappadocia region, in central Turkey, with its rock formations formed by volcanoes and underground cities, has inspired Cappadocia Sunset (pictured below).

Just like all of Neolith’s surfaces, Calacatta Roma and Cappadocia Sunset are resistant to heat and atmospheric conditions, are 100% recyclable, and do not contain added quartz to their formulation.
Mar 14, 2024
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