Restore plc
Restore plc is a United Kingdom support-services group specialising in information management, secure shredding and technology lifecycle services.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Restore plc is a United Kingdom support-services company whose activities centre on the secure management, movement, destruction and transformation of business information and technology assets. Incorporated in England and Wales, the group operates primarily in the UK and is organised around three principal divisions: Information Management, Datashred and Technology. The company became publicly traded on London’s AIM market in November 2004. In 2010 it adopted the name Restore plc, reflecting the development of a broader group rather than a single records-management operation. Its growth model has combined acquisitions with organic expansion, particularly in records storage, document scanning, secure destruction, relocation and related business services. A major phase of expansion took place between 2009 and 2019 under Charles Skinner, who served as chief executive for approximately a decade. During that period Restore pursued an active consolidation strategy, acquiring numerous regional operators and specialist businesses. These included records-management companies, document-destruction providers, scanning bureaux, relocation businesses, IT asset-disposition specialists and electronic-waste recyclers. The programme expanded reported revenue from less than £20 million to more than £200 million, according to the company’s historical account, while building a larger national operating platform. The Information Management division covers physical records storage, document scanning, digital information services and associated logistics. Datashred provides secure document destruction and related recycling services, while Technology addresses areas such as IT relocation, technology asset disposition and the handling or recycling of electronic equipment. The combination gives Restore exposure to organisations seeking to reduce physical storage, digitise information, protect confidential data and manage obsolete technology. Skinner left the chief executive role in March 2019 after the records-management consolidation strategy had largely been completed. Charles Bligh became chief executive in April 2019. During Bligh’s tenure the group refreshed its branding, expanded central corporate functions and articulated ambitious revenue and EBITDA objectives, alongside a renewed acquisition programme with particular emphasis on Technology. He also led the company through the COVID-19 disruption and subsequent inflationary pressures, before resigning in April 2023 after a period of underperformance. Restore’s 2023 performance was affected by several operational and market pressures. Adjusted earnings per share fell by 30% even though revenue was broadly stable. Datashred margins were affected by weaker recycled-paper prices; Technology experienced a cyclical downturn in corporate IT spending; and digital activity declined against a strong prior-year comparison that had included several large contracts. Skinner returned as chief executive in September 2023 and set new strategic priorities focused on restoring earnings growth and improving shareholder value. Restore’s business is supported by formal management and environmental standards. The company reports certification against ISO 9001:2015 for quality management, ISO 14001 for environmental management, ISO 45001 for occupational health and safety, and ISO 27001 for information-security management. Its financial year ends on 31 December, with the annual general meeting generally held in May. Restore remains an active AIM-listed UK services group, with its brand positioned around secure, compliant and increasingly digital management of records, data and technology assets.
History
Restore plc is incorporated in England and Wales and operates principally in the United Kingdom. It entered the public markets through an AIM flotation in November 2004. The company later changed its name to Restore plc in 2010, a step associated with the evolution of the business into a wider support-services group. From 2009 to 2019, Restore expanded through a combination of organic development and a large number of acquisitions. Under chief executive Charles Skinner, the company assembled a broad collection of records-management, scanning, shredding, relocation and technology businesses. The strategy was particularly important in a fragmented UK market, where regional operators could be integrated into a larger platform. During this period, Restore’s revenue grew from below £20 million to above £200 million according to the company’s historical description, and the group developed a reputation for meeting or exceeding market expectations. The acquisition programme included Datacare and Formsafe in 2010; Sargents Logistics and Sargents Archive, Management Archives of Leeds, Paterson Document Management and Brunswick Document Management in 2011; and Harrow Green, Relocom, ROC Relocations, M&L Document Destruction and Archive Solutions in 2012. Restore also established Restore Shred in 2011, strengthening its position in secure destruction. Expansion continued in 2013 and 2014 through acquisitions including File and Data Storage, IT Efficient, Atix, Magnum Secure, Filebase, Cannon Confidential, Papersafe UK and the UK records-management and scanning activities of Cintas Document Management. Restore increased its holding in Relocom to 83% in 2013. In 2015 it acquired Ancora Solutions, ITP Group holdings, The Data Imaging and Archiving Company, Crimson UK, Wincanton Records Management’s records-management business and Diamond Relocations. The group added further scale and specialisation in 2016–2018. PHS Data Solutions was acquired in 2016, followed in 2017 by ID Secured, trading as Reisswolf London, The ITAD Works, Solutions for Archiving, Banner Group’s shredding activities, Baxter Confidential, and Lombard Recycling together with Datashred. In 2018 Restore acquired Scanning Direct, Papershrink, TNT Business Solutions’ records-management arm, ORS, Spinnaker Waste Management, Function Business Location, Safe-Shred UK, Green Magnet and Document Capture. These transactions broadened the group from traditional physical records storage into digital conversion, IT asset management and electronic-waste recycling. Skinner left the business in March 2019 after the principal records-management consolidation phase. Charles Bligh became chief executive in April 2019. He refreshed the group-wide brand, expanded head-office functions and promoted new revenue and EBITDA ambitions, with Technology identified as a particularly attractive area for renewed mergers and acquisitions. His period in office included the operational disruption caused by COVID-19 and the later effects of inflation. Bligh resigned in April 2023 after Restore underperformed expectations. Results for 2023 were described as disappointing: adjusted earnings per share declined by 30% despite broadly stable revenue. Datashred was affected by lower recycled-paper prices, Technology faced a cyclical trough in corporate IT expenditure, and Digital activity fell from a strong comparative period that had included major contracts. Charles Skinner returned as chief executive in September 2023. His stated priorities were to return the group to earnings growth and improve shareholder value after the period of weaker performance. Restore continues to operate through Information Management, Datashred and Technology, with services spanning physical and digital records, secure destruction, relocation, IT asset disposition and electronic-waste recycling. The company also reports ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and ISO 27001 certifications, reflecting its focus on quality, environmental management, occupational safety and information security.
- 2023
Skinner returned as chief executive
[1]Charles Skinner returned to lead the group after a period of underperformance.
- 2019
Leadership transition
[1]Charles Skinner left as chief executive and Charles Bligh took over.
- 2018
Technology and digital capability expanded
[1]Acquisitions including Spinnaker Waste Management, Green Magnet and Document Capture extended the group’s technology, scanning and electronic-waste capabilities.
- 2013
Relocom stake increased
[1]Restore acquired an additional interest in Relocom, taking its total holding to 83%.
- 2011
Restore Shred formed
[1]The group established a dedicated secure-shredding operation.
- 2010
Name changed to Restore plc
[1]The company adopted the Restore plc name as its business broadened.
- 2004
AIM flotation
[1]Restore plc was admitted to London’s AIM market in November.
Products and positioning
A UK-focused business-services provider helping organisations securely store, digitise, transport, destroy and recycle information and technology assets.
Information management services
Information Management
Restore’s Information Management division handles physical records storage, records logistics, document scanning and digital information services. It supports organisations that need to retain, retrieve, digitise or rationalise information while maintaining controls over confidentiality and access.
Secure destruction and recycling
Datashred
Datashred provides secure destruction of confidential documents and related materials. Its activities also connect document destruction with recycling, making the division relevant to organisations seeking controlled disposal of sensitive information and better recovery of recyclable paper.
Technology lifecycle services
Technology
The Technology division covers services such as IT relocation, technology asset disposition and electronic-waste handling. It helps customers move, retire, reuse or recycle corporate technology equipment, combining logistics and secure data-handling requirements.
Brand decisions
2023
Reset toward earnings growthStrategyBackground
The group experienced weaker-than-expected performance, including a 30% decline in adjusted earnings per share.
Action taken
After returning as chief executive, Charles Skinner set strategic priorities focused on restoring earnings growth and shareholder value.
Aftermath
Restore entered a new phase of performance recovery under its former chief executive.
Adjusted earnings per share. -30% (2023)
2019
Renewed acquisition focus under Charles BlighStrategyBackground
Following the completion of much of the records-management consolidation programme, Restore sought new growth avenues.
Action taken
The group refreshed its branding, expanded central functions and placed particular emphasis on Technology within a reinvigorated mergers-and-acquisitions strategy.
Aftermath
Technology became a more prominent part of the group’s growth narrative, although later performance was affected by weak corporate IT spending.
2010
Adopted the Restore plc identityStrategyBackground
The company had expanded beyond a narrower records-management profile through organic growth and acquisitions.
Action taken
It changed its corporate name to Restore plc.
Aftermath
The name became the umbrella identity for a broader support-services group.
Recent events
- 2023
Charles Bligh resigned as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Bligh resigned in April 2023 after a period in which the group underperformed expectations.
- 2023
Charles Skinner returned as chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Skinner rejoined Restore as chief executive in September 2023 and established priorities aimed at restoring earnings growth and shareholder value.
- 2023
Restore reported weaker adjusted earnings[1]
Other
Adjusted earnings per share fell by 30% while revenue remained stable, amid pressure on Datashred margins, weak corporate IT spending and lower digital activity.
- 2019
Charles Skinner left the chief executive role[1]
Leadership change
Charles Skinner departed after approximately ten years leading a period of rapid acquisitive and organic expansion.
- 2019
Charles Bligh became chief executive[1]
Leadership change
Charles Bligh succeeded Skinner, refreshed group branding and pursued a renewed growth and acquisition agenda.
- 2010
Restore plc adopted its current name[1]
Other
The company changed its name to Restore plc as its activities and operating platform broadened.
- 2004
Restore plc returned to AIM trading[1]
Other
Restore plc was floated on London’s AIM market in November 2004.
Sources2 sources
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