Bestway (Holdings) Limited

What Bestway (Holdings) Limited does

Bestway (Holdings) Limited is a privately-held, family-owned multinational conglomerate headquartered in London, founded by Sir Anwar Pervez in 1976 with the opening of the first Bestway Wholesale depot in Acton, London — though its origins trace to Sir Anwar's arrival in the UK in 1956 and first retail venture (Kashmir Store, Earls Court) in 1963. The group operates across five core businesses: wholesale distribution, retail pharmacy, banking, cement manufacturing, and real estate, employing over 50,000 people globally and ranked as the UK's 17th largest private company as of 2016.

The group's business lines span distinct geographies and end-markets. Bestway Wholesale is the UK's second largest independent wholesaler, operating 64+ warehouses with over 6 million square feet of selling space and a 25,000+ product range, serving 125,000 independent retailers and caterers through the Bestway, Batleys, Best-one and Xtra Local brands. Well Pharmacy, acquired in October 2014 for £620 million, operates approximately 795 retail branches as the UK's third largest pharmacy chain under a £200 million investment programme targeting £1 billion annual revenue and 1,000 branches. United Bank Limited (UBL), acquired in 2002, is Pakistan's second largest private bank with approximately £9 billion in total assets and a 36,800+ agent branchless banking network (Omni division) plus UBL Ameen Islamic banking. Bestway Cement, founded in 1995 and scaled through the 2015 acquisition of 88% of Lafarge Pakistan (rebranded as Pakcem) for £182 million, is Pakistan's largest cement producer with 8 million tonnes of annual capacity across Hattar, Chakwal, and Mianwali plants, with waste heat recovery power generation and solar installations. A real estate division and the Bestway Foundation (established 1987, funded by 2.5% of post-tax profits) round out the portfolio.

The business model is a hybrid of transactional and recurring revenue streams: B2B wholesale distribution via product margins and symbol-group promotional economics, prescription dispensing plus OTC retail through Well Pharmacy (NHS-funded plus private services), interest income and fee-based services at UBL (including Islamic banking and remittances), cement production with domestic Pakistani sales and exports to Afghanistan and India, and rental income from investment properties. Operational technology investments emphasize convenience features rather than AI — a wholesale mobile app with 12,000+ downloads and £2M monthly net sales, i-beacon in-depot promotional offers, Apple Pay integration without a spending ceiling, and the Well Pharmacy Proactive Care System (PCS) barcode medication management for care homes. Most recent disclosed turnover was £3.06 billion for the year ended 30 June 2015 (up 20% year-over-year), with profit before tax of £373.8 million (up 39.9%) and UBL profit before tax up 83.4% to £300.6 million in the same period.

Name

Bestway (Holdings) Limited

Legal name

Bestway Group Limited

Website

https://bestwaygroup.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Bestway (Holdings) Limited is a privately-held UK-Pakistan family conglomerate operating wholesale distribution, retail pharmacy (Well Pharmacy), banking (UBL), cement manufacturing, and real estate across the UK, Pakistan, and East Africa, employing over 50,000 people.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wholesale Distribution

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries, General Line (5141), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122)

akta.pro primary industry

Organic & Natural Packaged Grocery Wholesale (AFAIAJAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Full-Line Pharmaceutical Wholesalers (HLAIAJAA)

Keywords

• Wholesale distribution
• Retail pharmacy services
• Commercial banking services
• Cement manufacturing
• Investment real estate

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Distribution: Revenue from wholesale distribution of food, drink, and non-food products to independent retailers and caterers through warehouse network. Includes own-label brands (Best-in, Best-one, Cellar Estates wines, Country Choice, Bestpets). Generates revenue from product margins and promotional cash-back deals.
2. Retail Pharmacy: Revenue from dispensing prescriptions, selling OTC medicines, health services (flu jabs, blood pressure checks, smoking cessation), and healthcare products through Well Pharmacy branches.
3. Banking Services: Interest income from lending, deposit services, branchless banking (Omni), investment banking, and international banking services through UBL network in Pakistan and Tanzania.
4. Cement Manufacturing: Revenue from production and sale of cement products including Ordinary Portland Cement, White Portland Cement, and slag cement. Domestic sales to Pakistan market and exports to Afghanistan and India.
5. Real Estate: Rental income from investment properties developed by the group.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bestway Group is a diversified multinational conglomerate operating five core businesses: wholesale food and non-food distribution to independent retailers and caterers through a 64+ UK warehouse depot network; community pharmacy retail through Well Pharmacy's 782+ branches; retail, corporate and Islamic banking through United Bank Limited (UBL) in Pakistan; cement manufacturing through Bestway Cement (Pakistan's largest producer at 8 million tonnes annual capacity); and real estate investment. Group revenue exceeded £3.06 billion for the year ended 30 June 2015, with the wholesale division serving 125,000 independent retailers and caterers.

Product overview

Bestway (Holdings) Limited is a diversified multinational conglomerate operating across five core business sectors: wholesale distribution (Bestway Wholesale/Batleys), healthcare/pharmacy (Well Pharmacy/Bestway Healthcare), banking (United Bank Limited), cement manufacturing (Bestway Cement Limited), and real estate. The group employs over 50,000 people globally with leadership positions in UK wholesale (2nd largest independent), UK pharmacy (3rd largest), Pakistan banking (2nd largest private bank), and Pakistan cement (largest producer). Bestway Wholesale serves 125,000 independent retailers through 64 warehouses with Symbol groups (Best-one, Xtra Local) and own-label brands (Best-in, Cellar Estates). Well Pharmacy operates approximately 795 branches plus a digital pharmacy and Healthcare Service Centre. UBL provides full-service and Islamic banking across Pakistan with branchless banking reach. Bestway Cement operates 8 million tonnes annual capacity. The portfolio also includes charitable foundation, waste heat recovery power generation, and agricultural trading.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Best-one: Symbol group retail franchise for independent retailers offering pricing benefits and branding support
• Xtra Local
• Bestpets
• Best-in
• Country Choice
• Cellar Estates
• Well CarePlus
• White Pearl Basmati Rice
• Essentially Catering

Products and services

• Bestway Wholesale UK's second largest independent wholesaler serving 125,000 independent retailers and caterers from 64+ warehouses with over 6 million square feet of selling space and 25,000+ product lines, including symbol groups Best-one, Xtra Local, and Best-in and own-label brands Best-in, Cellar Estates, Country Choice, and Bestpets.
• Well Pharmacy UK's third largest retail pharmacy chain operating approximately 795 community pharmacy branches dispensing NHS prescriptions, selling OTC medicines, and providing free NHS services including blood pressure checks, smoking cessation support, and flu vaccinations, with online/digital pharmacy and care home medication services.
• United Bank Limited (UBL) Pakistan's second largest private bank offering retail banking, corporate banking, treasury, investment banking, Islamic banking through UBL Ameen, and branchless banking through the Omni division with 36,800+ agents, with international operations including presence in Tanzania.
• Bestway Cement Pakistan's largest cement producer with annual production capacity of 8 million tonnes across plants at Hattar, Farooqia, Chakwal, and Mianwali, manufacturing Ordinary Portland Cement, White Portland Cement, and slag cement for domestic Pakistan market and export to Afghanistan and India, featuring waste heat recovery power generation.
• Bestway Real Estate Bestway Group's real estate division managing commercial and investment properties and generating rental income from investment properties developed by the group in the UK and Pakistan.
• Bestway Mobile App Mobile ordering application for wholesale customers allowing them to browse products, place orders, and access promotions; downloaded over 12,000 times with average net sales of £2 million per month from app orders.

Quantifiable outcome

• Turnover increased by 20% to £3.06 billion (2015)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lafarge Pakistan (Pakcem)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2015Bestway Cement acquired 88% shareholding in Lafarge Pakistan (renamed Pakcem) for £182 million total consideration (£161.6 million direct + £20.4 million debt). Pakcem plant has 2.4 million tonnes capacity making Bestway Cement Pakistan's largest producer with 8 million tonnes annual capacity.
• The Co-operative PharmacycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2014Bestway acquired The Co-operative Pharmacy in October 2014 for £641.3 million. Business rebranded to Well Pharmacy with £200 million investment program targeting £1 billion annual revenue and expansion from 780 to 1,000 branches.
• United Bank LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2002Bestway acquired United Bank Limited in 2002. UBL is now Pakistan's second largest private bank with total assets of £9 billion (June 2015), deposit base of £6.6 billion, and 36,800+ Omni branchless banking agents.
• CrimeStoppersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWell Pharmacy partnership with CrimeStoppers for community safety initiatives.
• GroceryAidminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBestway Wholesale partnership with GroceryAid - grocery industry charity providing financial assistance and emotional support. Bestway Foundation donated £100,000 at Royal Ascot Charity Race Day 2015.
• Stroke AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWell Pharmacy partnership with Stroke Association including 'A Message of Hope' campaign.
• Pakistan Flood Relief AppealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBestway Foundation launched Pakistan Flood Relief Appeal in November 2022 targeting USD 1.5 million, ultimately raised over USD 3 million providing food to 100,000 individuals, water filtration to 55 villages, 20+ tonnes medicines, and 500 permanent houses.
• Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBestway Foundation received CSR Award 2020 from Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre for charitable contributions.
• Sher Brothers Cash & CarryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBestway finalized takeover of Sher Brothers Cash & Carry in April 2014 expanding wholesale operations.
• The Duke of Edinburgh AwardsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBestway Group Gold Partner of The Duke of Edinburgh Awards recognizing youth development programs.
• British Asian TrustminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBestway Foundation partnership with British Asian Trust founded by King Charles III for international development in South Asia.
• Pakistan PWDs Finclusion Awards 2025minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBL won Retail Category Awards at Pakistan PWDs Finclusion Awards 2025 for commitment to financial inclusion and accessible banking.
• Evercare HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUBL signed strategic MOU with Evercare Hospital for Employee Well-being initiatives.
• LUMS (Lahore University of Management Sciences)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBestway Group and UBL donated to LUMS supporting higher education in Pakistan.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cardinal Health: US-based pharmaceutical wholesale distributor and healthcare services provider sourcing and distributing medicines to retail pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare systems. Comparable to Bestway Healthcare's wholesale operations serving Well Pharmacy and independent pharmacies.
• McKesson Corporation: Global pharmaceutical distributor and wholesaler operating full-line drug distribution to pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers. Directly comparable to Bestway Healthcare's wholesale distribution to 5,000+ independent pharmacies and 760+ Well Pharmacy branches.
• AAH Pharmaceuticals: UK's largest pharmaceutical distributor (McKesson subsidiary) supplying independent pharmacies and dispensing doctors. Direct competitor to Bestway Healthcare's wholesale distribution to over 5,000 independent UK pharmacies.
• Lucky Cement: Pakistan's leading cement manufacturer with significant export operations. Direct competitor to Bestway Cement in Pakistan's cement market, with comparable scale of operations and overlap in domestic and export channels to Afghanistan.
• Booker Group: UK's largest cash and carry wholesaler (now owned by Tesco) serving independent retailers and caterers. Direct competitor to Bestway Wholesale with overlapping depot-based model and similar customer base of independent grocers and foodservice operators.
• Walgreens Boots Alliance: Owner of Boots, the UK's largest retail pharmacy chain, with retail pharmacy and pharmaceutical wholesale operations. Primary direct competitor to Well Pharmacy in UK community pharmacy retail and comparable wholesale distribution model.
• Alliance Healthcare: UK pharmaceutical distributor (Walgreens Boots Alliance subsidiary) supplying independent pharmacies, hospitals, and dispensing doctors. Direct competitor to Bestway Healthcare's wholesale distribution arm serving 5,000+ UK pharmacies.
• Habib Bank Limited (HBL): Pakistan's largest bank with full-service retail, corporate, and Islamic banking operations. Direct competitor to United Bank Limited in retail and corporate banking, with comparable digital banking investments and branch network reach.
• Cencora (AmerisourceBergen): One of the largest pharmaceutical wholesale distributors globally, supplying pharmacies, hospitals, and healthcare providers. Direct comparable to Bestway Healthcare's full-line pharmaceutical distribution to thousands of independent pharmacies.

Broad incumbents

• Costco Wholesale: Global membership-based warehouse club operator with significant UK presence. Comparable to Bestway Wholesale's broad-line grocery distribution and depot model, though operates at substantially larger scale with cross-border membership economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bestway (Holdings) Limited