About Us
National Business. Local Ethics
At Bates Office, we understand that no two companies are the same; trust and reliability are paramount, and the only way to achieve the best possible service for our customers is to listen.
Leadership Team
Our team bring a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to supporting our clients, our people and the future of workplace solutions
David Taylor
Managing Director
Michael Edmonds
CEO
Jennie Samuels
Procurement Director CIPS
Rebecca Hensman
Communications & Sustainability Director
Spencer Osborne
Director
Jacki Edmonds
Finance Director
Mark Garside
Director
Oliver
Office Dog
You?
1930s – A West End Beginning
What started as a modest typewriter repair shop in the heart of London’s West End became the foundation of everything Bates is today. GH Bates opened his doors with a commitment to craftsmanship, quality, and personal service.
1940s – Serving the Nation
During WWII, GH Bates played a remarkable role in the UK’s war effort-repairing Winston Churchill’s typewriters inside the War Rooms. Precision and reliability became hallmarks of the Bates name.
1960s – A New Era
G.H.Bates Typewriters entrusted his thriving business to Peter Edmonds and Peter Fuller. The company expanded into typewriter and fax machine servicing. Partnerships grew with long-standing customers, including University College Hospital, marking a new chapter of innovation.
1980s – Enter the Computer Age & Royal Recognition
With the rise of Amstrad computers, Bates Business Machines moved confidently into the office supplies and productivity sector. We became one of the first businesses to operate a warehouse in the West India Docks. Their progress even earned a visit from Princess Margaret.
1990s – The Next Generation
Bates Business Machines formally registered as Bates Office Services, now led by Peter’s children, Michael and Jacki Edmonds, alongside close family friend Spencer Osborne. The company continued to evolve while staying true to its family roots.
2000s – Growth & New Horizons
As demand grew, Bates relocated to Crayford to accommodate a larger team. This decade also marked the launch of Bates Interiors—expanding our offerings to include office furniture, workplace design, and facilities services for both new and loyal customers.
2010s – Expanding Nationwide
A decade of expansion saw the opening of new hubs in Bridgend and Crewe, the acquisition of Acorn Business Supplies, and a strategic move to Rochester, Kent. Bates continued to scale while maintaining the service-driven values it was built on.
2020s – Innovation & Sustainability
Our Crewe hub relocated to Stoke-on-Trent’s Environmental House, a site powered by on-site renewable energy—demonstrating our continued commitment to sustainable operations.
2025 – A Company Powered by Its People
Bates proudly became an Employee Ownership Trust, ensuring the people who shape our company every day also shape its future. Our team is—and always has been—our greatest asset.
A shared future. Owned by you
Bates Office is proud to be an Employee Ownership Trust, meaning the business is now owned by the people who make it what it is — our team. This change secures our independence and reflects our long-standing belief that success is best shared. Every partner has a stake in our future, helping us stay true to our values and committed to delivering great service for every customer.
Hands-On Approach
While Bates has grown as a company, there are certain aspects that we are careful not to change. We remain independent, providing the same friendly service and hands-on approach that have always set us apart.
Our Sustainability
Bates Office is a company with a purpose beyond profit. Leading from the front on sustainability, we are taking direct action by delivering positive change to address the most pressing challenges of our time. We operate on the three pillars of sustainability; Economic, Social, and Environmental. This governs the way we work, sell and buy.
Transform Your Workspace.
