Southerns Group, a workspace interiors specialist backed by the founder of Clipper Group, has acquired Macclesfield-headquartered Broadstock Office Furniture in a move that creates a major provider to the commercial, educational, governmental and wider business sectors.

Southerns acquired its namesake based in Bolton, and Ralph Capper Interiors, based in Manchester, in March 2015 to create a group that posted revenues in excess of £18m in the year to June 2016. The enlarged group will have over £40m in turnover and more than 200 employees.

This followed an equity investment in the group by Knaresborough Investments, the private equity vehicle established by Steve Parkin, founder of the Clipper Group.

Southerns Group is a provider of commercial workplace furniture and associated services.

Headquartered in Macclesfield, Broadstock also has a site in Middleton.

Southerns chief executive Andy Kendall-Jones will continue to head the combined business. Nick Munsch, who together with other family members were the majority shareholders of Broadstock, will also remain within the company.

Kendall-Jones said Broadstock's people and infrastructure would add "significant capability to the wider group, and we look forward to working with Nick and his team to continue to take the business forward".

Nick Munsch added: "Although we have been competitors over many years it has been a real pleasure working through the deal with everyone at Southerns."

Broadstock was advised by Robert Turnbull and Anna Kerrane of Weightmans. Rickitt Mitchell provided corporate finance advice. Funding for the deal was provided by Santander, and Southerns was advised by Blacks Solicitors.

Robert Turnbull of Weightmans said:

“This is a great outcome and one which will bring new opportunities to all involved and we were pleased to be a part of this new chapter. We wish Nick and his team the best of luck in the future.”