UK foodservice wholesaler and distributor Brakes has taken a controlling stake in Northern Ireland-based wholesaler O’Kane Food Service, cementing their long-standing relationship, which has seen O’Kane distribute Brakes private-label products for more than ten years.

UK foodservice wholesaler and distributor Brakes has taken a controlling stake in Northern Ireland-based wholesaler O’Kane Food Service, cementing their long-standing relationship, which has seen O’Kane distribute Brakes private-label products for more than ten years.

Brakes will retain the existing O’Kane brand and senior management, but will refresh the corporate identity in line with the wider Brakes group.

Vertex Law’s corporate team, headed by Stuart Butler-Gallie and assisted by Sarah Whibley, acted on the deal.

The Vertex team secured the input of Dublin firm A&L Goodbody through its Belfast office property partner Patricia Johnston and employment law associate Gareth Walls.

Butler-Gallie commented: “We are delighted to have been able to deliver this intricate deal, which has involved detailed coordination and project management of corporate, property, employment and commercial matters in the separate but related jurisdiction of Northern Ireland.”