Wed, 02 Sep 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
A commercial locksmith business dating back more than 100 years has been acquired by listed Hampshire-based security group Croma Security Solutions Group in a deal worth an estimated £1 million.
A. Butler & Sons, trading as William Channon, was founded in 1917 and is based in Holborn, London. The company provides commercial locksmith services and specialist access control systems, serving a long-term client base within the arts sector, with a particular focus on museums and universities based in the capital.
The deal sees Whiteley-based Croma establish its first presence in London, with the group seeking to expand the range of security services that William Channon offers to customers, especially larger corporate clients.
Roberto Fiorentino, Chief Executive of Croma Group, commented: "From an operational perspective, there is significant scope to improve profitability through restructuring initiatives and the removal of duplicated overheads between the two businesses.”
"Combined with the opportunity to broaden the service offering and increase penetration within the existing customer base, we believe the business has strong potential to become a valuable and profitable part of the group.”
"Importantly, the acquisition also establishes Croma's first permanent foothold in London, which is a strategically important market for the group."
Post-acquisition, William Channon’s Managing Director and sole vendor Jim Caldwell will provide consultancy services for a period of three months in order to ensure a smooth transition to the new ownership.
Caldwell commented: "Having built the business over many years, I am delighted to be leaving it in capable hands.”
"I am confident that the combination of Croma's expertise and resources with William Channon's strong reputation and client relationships will provide an excellent platform for the business to continue to grow, while maintaining the personal, high-quality service on which our clients have come to rely."
Security services has emerged as a major driver of dealmaking in a wider surge of consolidation across the UK's facilities management sector
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This award-winning, multi-trade contractor, based in Scotland, offers a unique opportunity to acquire an established business with a strong presence in plumbing, heating, and renewable energy installations for domestic and commercial clients.
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