Bestway

Bestway Wholesale was established in 1976.

The Group set up its first Bestway Cement cement plant in 1995 in Hattar in the KP Province of Pakistan, with an initial investment of US$120.0 million. The plant's initial capacity was 0.99 million tonnes per annum, this was enhanced to 1.17 million tonnes per annum at a cost of US$10 million in 2002.{{cite web|url=http://www.cemnet.com/GCR/plant/1483 |title=Global Cement Plant Database: Bestway Cement Ltd |publisher=Cemnet.com |access-date=2015-05-13}}

In October 2002 Bestway Group successfully bid for a controlling share in United Bank Limited (UBL). The total investment was approximately US$210 million.

Bestway Group expanded its cement operations in February 2004 by setting up a 1.8 million tonnes per annum cement plant in Chakwal, Punjab Province, Pakistan, at a cost of US$180.0 million.

To augment its presence in the cement industry, Bestway bid for 85.29% equity of Mustehkam Cement Limited. The Company's bid of approximately US$70 million was accepted in September 2005. The plant started production in December 2005 just one month after acquisition.

In 2005, the Group acquired its wholesale rival, Batley's plc.{{cite web |url=http://retailanalysis.igd.com/Hub.aspx?id=13&tid=1&rid=440&nid=1770 |title=Bestway takeover of Batley's imminent - IGD Retail Analysis |publisher=Retailanalysis.igd.com |date=2005-01-21 |access-date=2015-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101152220/http://retailanalysis.igd.com/Hub.aspx?id=13&tid=1&rid=440&nid=1770 |archive-date=2015-01-01 |url-status=dead }}

In 2010 it purchased the Scottish cash and carry company Bellevue and Martex.{{cite web|url=http://www.talkingretail.com/news/independent-news/bestway-acquires-belllevue-cash-and-carry-in-scotland |title=Bestway acquires Bellevue cash and carry in Scotland |date=21 June 2010 |publisher=Talkingretail.com |access-date=2015-05-13}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thegrocer.co.uk/companies/bestway-boosts-scots-clout-with-martex-deal/214236.article |title=Bestway boosts Scots clout with Martex deal |publisher=Thegrocer.co.uk |date=2010-11-27 |access-date=2015-05-13}}

In July 2014 Bestway Group acquired the Co-operative Group's stores branded as The Co-operative Pharmacy, the UK's third largest pharmacy, for £620 million. They have since been re-branded as Well Pharmacy.{{cite news|author=Ben Marlow|title=Bestway cash and carry empire snaps up Co-op high street pharmacies|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/retailandconsumer/10975402/Bestway-cash-and-carry-empire-snaps-up-Co-op-high-street-pharmacies.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=18 July 2014}} At the time of acquisition, the pharmacy business was expected to increase the group's annual turnover to over £3 billion and the group's global workforce would increase to 33,600 people, with over 11,900 people employed in the UK.{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1303181/bestway-to-buy-co-op-pharmacy-arm-for-620m |title=Bestway To Buy Co-op Pharmacy Arm For £620m |website=News.sky.com |date=2014-05-16 |access-date=2015-12-14}}

In April 2018, Bestway acquired the Bargain Booze and Wine Rack brands for £7 million.{{cite news|last1=Fisher|first1=Martyn|title=Bestway buys Bargain Booze|url=http://www.betterwholesaling.com/bestway-bargain-booze/|access-date=6 April 2018|work=Better Wholesaling|date=6 April 2018}}

In December 2020 it was announced that Bestway would acquire the UK arm of Costcutter from Bibby Line. This acquisition gives Bestway 1,500 stores under multiple brand names including Costcutter, Co-Op, Kwiksave, Mace and Supershop.{{cite web|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/mergers-and-acquisitions/bestway-snaps-up-costcutter-for-undisclosed-fee/651624.article |title=Bestway snaps up Costcutter for undisclosed fee |publisher=thegrocer.co.uk |access-date=2021-02-19}}

In January 2023, it was announced Bestway Group Limited had acquired a 3.45% stake in the UK's second largest supermarket chain, Sainsbury's.{{Cite web |date=2023-01-27 |title=Costcutter owner Bestway takes near £200m stake in Sainsbury's |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jan/27/costcutter-owner-bestway-takes-near-200m-stake-in-sainsburys |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=the Guardian |language=en}} A week later, in February 2023, it was announced the stake had been increased to 4.47%.{{Cite web |title=Bestway ups stake in Sainsbury's |url=https://www.digitallook.com/news/news-and-announcements/bestway-ups-stake-in-sainsburys--12161564.html |access-date=2023-02-01 |website=Sharecast |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=2023-02-01 |title=Costcutter owner Bestway raises Sainsbury's stake to 4.47% |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/costcutter-owner-bestway-raises-sainsburys-stake-447-2023-02-01/ |access-date=2023-02-23}} In October 2023, this was further increased to 4.99%.{{Cite news |date=2023-10-13 |title=Holding(s) in Company |language=en |agency=Reuters |url=https://otp.tools.investis.com/clients/uk/sainsbury/rns/regulatory-story.aspx?cid=162&newsid=1725466 |access-date=2023-10-14}}

Bestway Group, the largest shareholder in the Pakistani bank United Bank Limited "UBL", submitted an "Indicative Offer" in September 2023 to acquire its 55% shareholding in its United Kingdom joint venture with the National Bank of Pakistan, United National Bank Limited "UNBL UK". This was approved by the Board of Directors of UBL but is conditional on the approval of the State Bank of Pakistan.{{Cite web|date=2023-09-12|title=Establishment of Exchange Company and Divestment|url=https://www.investegate.co.uk/announcement/rns/united-bank-limited--ubls/establishment-of-exchange-company-divestment/7749336|website=Investegate|language=en}}{{Cite web|last=Zaidi|first=Erum|date=2023-09-13|title=UBL to set up exchange company, sell UK subsidiary to Bestway Group|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1109247-ubl-to-set-up-exchange-company-sell-uk-subsidiary-to-bestway-group|access-date=2023-09-29|website=DAWN.COM|language=en}}

In 2024, the State Bank of Pakistan approved Silkbank’s merger with United Bank Limited (UBL). The process was finalized in March 2025, with Silkbank officially integrating into UBL through a share swap agreement.{{Cite web |first=Business Recorder |date=March 11, 2025 |title=Silkbank merger with UBL approved |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40352341 |website=Business Recorder}}

In March 2024, Silkbank Limited announced its merger with United Bank Limited (UBL) after both banks reached an agreement. On March 10, 2025, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) officially sanctioned the amalgamation of Silkbank with UBL under Section 48 of the Banking Companies Ordinance 1962. The merger became effective on March 11, 2025, fully integrating Silkbank's operations into UBL. As part of the agreement, UBL issued new shares to Silkbank shareholders at a swap ratio of 1 UBL share (face value PKR 10 each) for every 325 Silkbank shares (face value PKR 10 each).{{Cite news |date=March 11, 2025 |title=UBL absorbs Silk Bank after SBP approval |url=https://www.brecorder.com/news/40352341 |work=Business Recorder}}

Bestway Group comprises the following investments:

In 1987 the Bestway Group established the Bestway Foundation.{{cite web |url=http://www.turn2us.org.uk/charities/b/the_bestway_foundation.aspx |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121224154321/http://www.turn2us.org.uk/charities/b/the_bestway_foundation.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 December 2012 |title=The Bestway Foundation |publisher=Turn2us |access-date=2015-05-13 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.bestwaygroup.co.uk/page/Bestway-Foundation.html |title=Bestway Foundation |publisher=Bestwaygroup.co.uk |date=2014-07-22 |access-date=2015-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140708171001/http://www.bestwaygroup.co.uk/page/Bestway-Foundation.html |archive-date=2014-07-08 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.bradford.ac.uk/mediacentre/news-releases/archives/archive-2013/title-90726-en.php/|title=Archive - 2013 - University of Bradford|website=Bradford.ac.uk|access-date=2015-12-15|archive-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202010223/http://www.bradford.ac.uk/mediacentre/news-releases/archives/archive-2013/title-90726-en.php|url-status=dead}} It is a charitable trust of the Bestway Group that works exclusively in the health{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalbrainappeal.org/sir-anwar-pervez/|title=Sir Anwar Pervez - Neurological Disorders - Neuromuscular Conditions|work=Neurological Disorders - Neuromuscular Conditions|access-date=29 January 2023|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304233025/http://www.nationalbrainappeal.org/sir-anwar-pervez/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.talkingretail.com/news/independent-news/bestway-raises-60000-for-royal-marsden-charity|title=Bestway raises £60,000 for Royal Marsden Charity|work=Talking Retail|date=22 January 2013}} and education sectors.{{cite web|url=http://www.obs-gyn.ox.ac.uk/team/sairah-sheikh|title=Sairah Sheikh — The Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology|website=Obs-gyn.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2015-12-15|archive-date=24 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151124050926/http://www.obs-gyn.ox.ac.uk/team/sairah-sheikh/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://opencharities.org/charities/297178|title=THE BESTWAY FOUNDATION|website=Opencharities.org|access-date=2015-12-15}} Every year the Group contributes approximately 2.5% of its profit to the Foundation, which helps support charities and contributes to help the local community. In the last decade Bestway Foundation has invested in 35 inner city schools in as part of the Specialist Schools & Academies Program.

In 1997 Bestway Foundation Pakistan was established and Choudrey was appointed Chairman of Bestway Foundation Pakistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/07/19/news/profit/bestway-group-celebrates-50-years-of-philanthropy/|title=Bestway Group celebrates 50 years of philanthropyPakistantoday.com.pk|access-date=2015-12-15}}

In February 2013, the Bestway Foundation and University of Bradford signed a five-year agreement that committed £250,000 each to jointly fund five annual scholarships to support postgraduate students applying from Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bradford.ac.uk/scholarships/info/bestway-foundation-scholarship-2019-20|title=Bestway Foundation Scholarships for Students from Pakistan - University of Bradford|access-date=29 January 2023|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417161416/https://www.bradford.ac.uk/scholarships/info/bestway-foundation-scholarship-2019-20|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.brad.ac.uk/bradford-life/i-applied-for-the-bestway-foundation-scholarship/|title=I applied for the Bestway Foundation Scholarship|date=5 February 2019|website=Bradford Life}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tajwer-shamim_mechanicalengineering-manufacturing-highereducation-activity-6495570736416063489-2hYu|title=Tajwer A. on LinkedIn: #mechanicalengineering #manufacturing #highereducation | 116 comments|website=www.linkedin.com}}

In May 2014 Bestway Cement Limited was ranked 10th out of 478 PLCs by volume of donations in Pakistan according to Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) Philanthropy Survey 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.bestway.co.uk/news.php?id=853|title=Cash & Carry and Retail Industry News :: Bestway Cash & CarryBestway.co.uk|access-date=2015-12-15}}

In October 2014 Bestway Foundation (Rs. 50 Million) {{cite web|url=http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172:pakistan/1229463:ubl-donates-rs-100-million-to-extend-bss-building-at-fcc?date=2014-10-01|title=UBL donates Rs 100 million to extend BSS building at FCC|work=Business Recorder|access-date=29 January 2023|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304210107/http://www.brecorder.com/general-news/172:pakistan/1229463:ubl-donates-rs-100-million-to-extend-bss-building-at-fcc?date=2014-10-01|url-status=dead}} and United Bank Limited{{cite web|url=http://www.fccollege.edu.pk/ubl-donates-rs-100-mil-to-extend-fccs-business-and-social-sciences-building|title=UBL donates Rs 100 mil to extend FCC's Business and Social Sciences Building|website=Fccollege.edu.pk|access-date=2015-12-15|archive-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202010224/http://www.fccollege.edu.pk/ubl-donates-rs-100-mil-to-extend-fccs-business-and-social-sciences-building|url-status=dead}} (Rs. 100 Million) donated Rs. 150 Million to Foreman Christian College Lahore, Pakistan. FC College which is one of the oldest academic institutions of South Asia was founded in 1864 by Dr Charles W Forman, a Presbyterian missionary from the United States of America.{{citation needed|date=April 2023}}

In May 2015 the charitable trust gave £1 million towards graduate scholarships at Oxford University.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlayDwG6218|title=Bestway sets up £1.8 million fund at Oxford Uni for Pakistan students|date=22 June 2015|via=YouTube}} The gift created an endowment that enables two graduate students from Pakistan{{cite web|url=http://www.worldcement.com/asia-pacific-rim/26062015/Bestway-will-sponsor-two-Oxford-University-students-every-year-74/|title=Bestway will sponsor two Oxford University students every year|work=World Cement|date=26 June 2015}} per year to study at Oxford, in perpetuity, through the Oxford-Sir Anwar Pervez Graduate Scholarships.{{cite web|url=https://www.campaign.ox.ac.uk/news?newsid=33fe1bc9-5404-4223-9e53-0516d29697d6|title=Campaign News - Oxford Thinking - University of Oxford|website=Campaign.ox.ac.uk|access-date=2015-12-15}}

In October 2016, the Bestway Foundation and University of Kent signed a five-year agreement that committed £250,000 each to jointly fund five annual scholarships to support postgraduate students applying from Pakistan.{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/131500|title=Bestway pledges £500k to support Pakistani students|website=www.geo.tv|access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kent.ac.uk/scholarships/search/FNADBESTWA02|title=The Bestway Foundation Scholarship (for Pakistani students) - University of Kent|website=www.kent.ac.uk|access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kent.ac.uk/internationalstudent/news/summaries/2019-bestway-scholars-reception-pakistan.html|title=Kent Pakistani scholars attend Bestway celebration - International Student - University of Kent|website=www.kent.ac.uk}}

In February 2017 the UK's third largest retail pharmacist, Well Pharmacy, launched its charity partnership with the Stroke Association. Well seeks to raise £250,000 under Know Your Blood Pressure campaign for the country's leading charity dedicated to conquering stroke.{{cite web|url=https://saddind.co.uk/treats-in-store-at-well-pharmacy-uppermill-charity-fun-day/|title=Treats in store at Well Pharmacy Uppermill Charity Fun Day|first=Aimee|last=Belmore|date=5 April 2017|website=saddind.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/news/well-pharmacy-go-record-breaking-blood-pressure-checks|title=Well pharmacy go for record-breaking blood pressure checks - Chemist+Druggist|website=www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk|date=21 April 2017|access-date=30 January 2019}}

In November 2017, the Bestway Foundation donated £100,000 NSPCC the children's charity.{{cite web|url=https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/bestway-makes-100000-donation-childrens-charity-23-11-2017/|title=Bestway makes £100,000 donation to children's charity|first=Liz|last=Wells|date=23 November 2017|website=talkingretail.com|access-date=30 January 2019}}

In March 2018 Well Pharmacy donated over 35,000 Foster Grant sunglasses and reading glasses, with a total estimated retail value of £946,000 to In Kind Direct, which distributes consumer goods donated by companies to UK charities.{{cite web|url=https://fundraising.co.uk/2018/03/27/well-pharmacy-donates-almost-1m-glasses-local-uk-causes/|title=Well Pharmacy donates almost £1m of glasses to local UK causes|first=Melanie|last=May|date=27 March 2018|website=fundraising.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2019}}

In November 2018; the Group's charitable trust donated £100,000 to the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.{{cite web|url=https://www.slrmag.co.uk/bestway-great-ormond-street/|title=Bestway helps Great Ormond Street - Scottish Local Retailer|first=Findlay|last=Stein|date=29 November 2018|website=slrmag.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.talkingretail.com/news/industry-news/bestway-donates-100k-great-ormond-street-29-11-2018/|title=Bestway donates £100k to Great Ormond Street|first=Liz|last=Wells|date=29 November 2018|website=talkingretail.com|access-date=30 January 2019}}

In Pakistan the Group has donated £900,000 towards the construction of dams and large scale water Reservoirs.{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/220132|title=Bestway Group CEO hails CJP's dams initiative|website=www.geo.tv|access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWhgSy5Vjoc|title=Zameer Choudrey has welcomed initiative of dams|last=Naseer Ahmed|access-date=30 January 2019|via=YouTube}}

The company has donated £14.8 million{{cite web|url=https://www.scottishgrocer.co.uk/2019/01/01/wholesome-donation-for-hospital-kids/|title=Wholesome donation for hospital kids|first=Catherine|last=Sheridan|date=31 December 2018|website=scottishgrocer.co.uk|access-date=30 January 2019}} to the charitable trust in the UK{{cite web|url=https://www.thecaterer.com/articles/354254/bestway-donate-100-000-to-action-for-children-charity|title=Bestway donate £100,000 to Action for Children charity|author=Lisa Jenkins|work=The Caterer|date=19 November 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://wholesalemanager.co.uk/zameer-choudrey-spells-out-bestways-commitment-to-help-dyslexia-sufferers/|title=Zameer Choudrey spells out Bestway's commitment to help Dyslexia sufferers|work=Wholesale Manager - The news magazine for the UK wholesale and cash & carry industry|date=16 February 2014}} and provided over US$9.0 million to health, education{{cite web|url=https://giving.lums.edu.pk/corporations|title=Corporations|date=8 August 2016|website=Office of Fundraising|access-date=30 January 2019|archive-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115081428/https://giving.lums.edu.pk/corporations|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://iba.edu.pk/iba_sports_arena_boys_hostel.php|title=Sir Anwar Pervez inaugurates UBL Sports Arena and Boys Hostel at IBA Karachi|website=Iba.edu.pk|access-date=2015-12-15|archive-date=2 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160202010222/http://iba.edu.pk/iba_sports_arena_boys_hostel.php|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://lums.edu.pk/giving/news-details.php/ubl-establishes-pkr-10-million-endowment-fund-at-lums-2208|title=UBL Establishes PKR 10 Million Endowment Fund at LUMS|date=3 December 2013|website=Lums.edu.pk|access-date=2015-12-15|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033533/http://lums.edu.pk/giving/news-details.php/ubl-establishes-pkr-10-million-endowment-fund-at-lums-2208|url-status=dead}} and humanitarian causes in Pakistan.{{cite web|url=http://www.ksbl.edu.pk/donations/donor-recognition.php|title=Karachi School of Business Leadership|website=Ksbl.edu.pk|access-date=2015-12-15|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081908/http://www.ksbl.edu.pk/donations/donor-recognition.php|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://nation.com.pk/business/22-Mar-2013/ubl-s-csr-initiative|title=UBL's CSR initiative|date=22 March 2013|work=The Nation}}{{cite web |url=http://www.bestwaygroup.co.uk/files/bestway-csr-report-jun-2013.pdf |title=Bestway at the heart of the community |website=Bestwaygroup.co.uk |access-date=2015-12-15 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923184003/http://www.bestwaygroup.co.uk/files/bestway-csr-report-jun-2013.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/1058960/corporate-social-responsibility-ubl-sponsors-computer-lab-at-lums/|title=Corporate social responsibility: UBL sponsors computer lab at LUMS|date=4 March 2016|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=30 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/526931-lord-zameer-choudrey-a-brit-pak-success-story|title=Lord Zameer Choudrey: a Brit-Pak success story|website=www.thenews.com.pk}}

In November 2019, Bestway Foundation donated £100,000 to the Save The Children - a charity that Bestway's charitable trust has been supporting since 2004.{{cite web|url=https://www.petbusinessworld.co.uk/news/feed/wholesaler---s-latest-donation-brings-charity-support-to-nearly---15m|title=Wholesaler's latest donation brings charity support to nearly £15m|website=Pet Business World|access-date=2019-12-17}}

In April 2020 the Group companies in Pakistan donated Rs.600 million to fight COVID-19 in Pakistan.{{Cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/600699/bestway-group-donates-more-than-rs-600m-to-fight-covid-19-and-for-csr-in-pakistan/|title=Bestway Group donates more than Rs 600m to fight COVID-19 and for CSR in Pakistan|date=23 April 2020|website=Daily Times}}

In July 2021 the Bestway Foundation donated £975,000 to the Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge to establish a £1.3 million Lord Choudrey Scholarship Fund to provide scholarships for PhD students; named in honour of Lord Choudrey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cai.cam.ac.uk/news/lord-choudrey-scholarship-fund-provides-phd-scholarship|title = Lord Choudrey Scholarship Fund provides for PhD scholarship|date = 13 July 2021}}

In January 2013, Bestway was nominated for the Business of the Year award at the British Muslim Awards.{{cite news |url=http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/10197507.Winners_honoured_at_British_Muslim_Awards/|title=Winners honoured at British Muslim Awards|publisher=Asian Image|date=31 January 2013|access-date=1 November 2015}} The company is a longtime supporter of the UK Conservative Party.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/politics/tories-quietly-name-more-50-11702202|title=Tories quietly name more than 50 rich donors who dined with their top ministers|first=Dan|last=Bloom|date=15 December 2017|website=mirror}}

• List of companies based in London
• Pakistan United Kingdom relations

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.bestwaygroup.co.uk Official Website]

Category:Conglomerate companies established in 1976

Category:Companies based in the London Borough of Brent

Category:1976 establishments in England

Category:Conglomerate companies of the United Kingdom

Category:Multinational companies headquartered in England

Category:British companies established in 1976