A YORK based food intolerance testing laboratory is under new ownership following a private equity backed management buyout.

The management team at YorkTest Laboratories have taken ownership of the business from CBPE Capital, which has sold 100 per cent of its stake in the York Science Park-based venture.

The majority stake in the business, which specialises in food intolerance testing and trades as both YorkTest and Lorisian, has been acquired by private equity house Key Capital Partners, which backed the management team with an £8 million investment.

James Hall, partner at KCP, who led the investment team, will join the board of YorkTest alongside chief executive Rachel Jansen, chief financial officer Neil Guilder, scientific director Gill Hart and operations director Jonathan Brookes.

Mr Hall said: “This is a long-established business with a proven track-record and reputation for quality in the food intolerance testing market, and we see huge potential for growth both directly to consumers as well as continued expansion into the business to business channel.

“The firm’s success lies in its unique service and delivery model, as well as the quality and reproducibility of its scientific processes.”

YorkTest identifies and advises on food intolerances which can cause IBS, migraines and skin conditions. Through its laboratory it determines specific food or drink reactions, and then provides nutritional consultations to support the customer in eliminating trigger foods from their diet.

While the majority of YorkTest’s sales are direct to the customer, sales are now growing through its Lorisian brand to a series of partners including a network of nutritionists as well as healthcare, insurance and occupational health blue-chip customers.

Ms Jansen said: “We are immensely proud of the service we have developed, and the impact our services have to improve the health and lives of many people.

“We were looking for a partner to help us continue to build on the brand equity, to add complementary products and scale up to take advantage of the market opportunity on a global basis. KCP see the same opportunities we do, they bought into our customer engagement programme and fully supported our plans to grow and develop the business and provide food intolerance sufferers with a proven solution.”