Freshwater Group
| Freshwater Group
| |
|---|---|
| Type | Private property group |
| Key people | Benzion Schalom Eliezer Freshwater Solomon Israel Freshwater |
The Freshwater Group is the informal name used in corporate and press material for the UK property interests controlled by the Freshwater family, descended from Osias Freshwater. Its principal quoted vehicle for decades was Daejan Holdings, taken private in May 2020 via Dock Newco Limited, described by the corporate broker as “a newly incorporated company within the Freshwater Group”.[1] Bid commentary also tied Dock Newco to Centremanor Limited.[2]
Principal companies
- Daejan Holdings — former FTSE 250 property company; scheme effective 7 May 2020; listing cancelled 11 May 2020.[1]
- Highdorn Co. Limited — Companies House 00603121, incorporated 21 April 1958.
- Centremanor Limited — Companies House 01209401, incorporated 25 April 1975; named in 2020 bid coverage as linked to Dock Newco.[2]
Related charitable vehicles often discussed alongside the commercial group (separate legal entities; do not collapse into the trading group without a source):
- Mayfair Charities Limited (charity 255281)
- The Raphael Freshwater Memorial Association (charity 313890)
Board diversity controversy (Daejan)
While Daejan remained listed, it was the subject of sustained Hampton-Alexander Review and press criticism for retaining an all-male board. Company secretary Mark Jenner linked resistance in part to the family’s Orthodox Jewish practice, while stating in May 2019 that there were no current plans to delist.[3] The February 2020 take-private was widely reported as coming after that diversity criticism; the family’s stated offer rationale was long-term ownership and an exit opportunity for minority shareholders, not an explicit refusal to appoint women. Full sourced treatment: Daejan Holdings.
People
- Osias Freshwater (1897–1976) — founder
- Benzion Schalom Eliezer Freshwater (b. April 1948)
- Solomon Israel Freshwater (b. August 1950)
- Nechama Golda Stempel (née Halberstam) — second wife of Osias; Bobov maternal line for the sons
Wealth: “Benzion Freshwater and family” appeared on the Sunday Times Rich List 2025 (reported ranking 64, £2.6bn).[4]
Resources
- https://daejanholdings.com/our-history
- https://www.singercm.com/daejan-holdings-plc-acquired-by-dock-newco-ltd-for-1-3-billion/
- https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00603121
- https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/01209401
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Singer Capital Markets, “Daejan Holdings plc acquired by Dock Newco Ltd. for £1.3 billion”, May 2020, https://www.singercm.com/daejan-holdings-plc-acquired-by-dock-newco-ltd-for-1-3-billion/
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 David Parsley, “Freshwater bidco set to delist Daejan…”, Property Week, 21 February 2020, https://www.propertyweek.com/finance/freshwater-bidco-set-to-delist-daejan-as-it-acquires-remaining-shares
- ↑ Jewish Chronicle, May 2019, https://www.thejc.com/news/billionaire-freshwater-family-resists-government-drive-for-female-directors-on-its-board-citing-charedi-values-om01xgyf
- ↑ Manchester Evening News round-up of Sunday Times Rich List 2025, https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/uk-news/sunday-times-rich-list-2025-31654747