About us
Established and grown in Bristol.
Key West Holdings is an investment company focused on managing a broad portfolio of private and public equities, commercial property, and other investments.
As a family business, Key West Holdings maintains an opportunistic mindset alongside a strong commitment to long-term capital growth and sustainability.
The company’s funds derive from the creation and the subsequent sale of Nisbets, the international catering equipment distribution business. The company continues to hold a minority share in Nisbets and is committed to its ongoing and long-term success.
Key West Holdings follows an endowment style investment strategy focused on building a balanced portfolio, managing risk through diversification, and delivering steady, sustainable returns over the long term.
Its investment activities generate funds that contribute to charitable giving through The Nisbet Trust.
Our history
Key West Holdings was founded in 2014 to hold the Nisbet family’s investment in Nisbets.
Founded by Andrew Nisbet in 1983, Nisbets grew from a small supplier in South West England into one of the largest distributors of catering equipment globally with operations in the UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Growing to more than 1,800 team members.
Today, Nisbets serves over half a million customers in more than 100 countries through its website, mail-order catalogue, and network of retail stores.
In 2024, Key West Holdings sold a majority stake in Nisbets to Bunzl plc, valuing the business at an equity value in excess of £500 million.
Following the sale of its majority shareholding, Key West Holdings conducted a comprehensive and forward-looking review of its investment approach and implemented endowment style investment strategy with the support of external investment professionals.
Our investments
Today, Key West Holdings’ decisions are guided by capital preservation, sustainable income generation, and intelligent diversification, with a focus on private and public equities, commercial property, and other investments.
While remaining agile, adaptable, and entrepreneurial, Key West Holdings’ portfolio includes multiple asset classes designed to deliver consistent and sustainable returns, protect capital value, and provide a reliable and impactful funding stream for charitable causes.
Members of the Nisbet family continue to lead decision-making at Key West Holdings, with the support of a team of highly experienced professional advisers across a range of skill disciplines.