Project Vantage
We are pitching for a privately owned facilities management and maintenance company, operating primarily across London and South East with several blue-chip clients. It provides specialist and reactive works including drainage, tanker works, grease management, descales, gas servicing, emergency lighting and compliance works, as well as general building and facilities management. c.£2-2.5m EBITDA
Nubilaria – Project Trinity
The shareholders are considering the sale of 100% of the share capital to a strategic investor. The current shareholders operating as well as managers are willing to maintain their positions after the transaction
Project Farm – Field Seymour Parkes
We’re pleased to have advised Field Seymour Parkes (FSP) on the sale to the Lawfront Group, a national group of leading regional law firms.
Founded in 1987 and based in Reading, FSP has grown into one of the largest law firms in the Thames Valley, earning a strong and trusted reputation in the marketplace. Serving both business and private clients, FSP employs 85 qualified professionals and has grown impressively, achieving a 9% compound annual growth rate in recent years, driven by excellence across its Real Estate, Corporate, Private Client, Employment and Dispute Resolution practices. The firm has earned recognition with one Tier 1 and seven Tier 2 rankings in The Legal 500, underscoring its reputation for quality legal services.
Our Corporate Finance team were appointed by FSP as lead advisers on the deal. We supported at all stages of the deal from early-stage negotiations through to completion.
The sale to the Lawfront Group provides FSP with a platform to grow in strength and benefit from the latest technology to further support their clients and people, whilst maintaining their high standards of service delivery.
The Lawfront Group are increasingly seen as a leading consolidator in the full regional service legal market. Backed by Blixt since 2021, Lawfront’s strategy is to partner with leading regional law firms that have a strong brand for client service, a dedication to their people, and management teams that have a history of delivering profitable growth. The group have been on the acquisition trail, completing 16 acquisitions in total, including seven large regional law firms together with nine bolt-on acquisitions. The latest acquisition of Field Seymour Parkes takes the group’s revenue to over £150m.
Magna Tyres Group and Forrez join forces
Magna Tyres Group and Forrez have joined forces through a strategic partnership that enables both companies to further strengthen their market positions. The transaction brings together two complementary players with deep expertise in tyre manufacturing and tyre services for industrial applications, respectively.
Through this partnership, Magna Tyres Group combines its international position as a developer and supplier of tyres for off-the-road, industrial and port applications with Forrez’s strong service and maintenance capabilities. The combination creates an integrated platform capable of offering customers a broader range of products and services while supporting the continued international growth of both businesses.
VDP acted as exclusive advisor to the shareholders of Forrez.
Project Hammer – Fall Protection
We are pleased to have advised Fall Protection UK, a Gateshead-based provider of safety decking services to the construction industry, on its successful management buyout.
Founded in 2003, Fall Protection UK supplies and installs fall prevention systems and working platforms for a wide range of housebuilding and commercial projects throughout the North East and North Yorkshire.
Our Newcastle team, led by Partner Abu Ali and supported by Associate Director Graham Brown and Manager Niall Choat, was appointed by the business’ shareholders to develop and deliver a succession plan that would allow its founder and former Managing Director, John McGowan, to retire, while securing the firm’s legacy and positioning it for future growth.
Project Sicily – Ceaton Security Services Limited
A Welsh fire and security services business has been acquired by a leading UK fire protection firm, in a deal supported by our Corporate Finance team.
Founded in 1991, Ceaton Security (Ceaton) is a family business that specialises in the design, installation and maintenance of fire suppression systems and security networks. From its headquarters in Cardiff, it supports a range of private and public sector clients including the charity Barnardo’s and the Principality Stadium, home of the Welsh national rugby union team.
It has now been acquired by Senseco Systems, an industry-leading fire and security specialist which operates across the UK and is backed by private equity firm, Foundation Investment Partners, marking the latest step in its buy-and-build strategy.
We were appointed by Angie Beasley, Managing Director of Ceaton, to explore a trade sale of the group. Our team, led by Director Thomas Edwards, Executive Jade Burgess and Associate Twm Westcott, helped to prepare the business for sale before identifying an appropriate buyer in Senseco. The team then led on negotiations and helped to secure the necessary National Security and Investment (NSI) approval, allowing the deal to reach a positive outcome for all parties.
Senseco will now benefit from Ceaton’s strong reputation in the Welsh market and its longstanding relationships with clients. Meanwhile Ceaton, which will continue to trade under the same name, will be able to take advantage of Senseco’s resources and UK-wide network.
Culinaire has been acquired by An Undisclosed Third Party
Business Description: Founded in 1993 and headquartered in Dallas, TX, Culinaire International (“Culinaire”) is a premier foodservice management company renowned for providing first-class guest experiences to attendees of fundraisers, galas, weddings and other on-site dining facilities at prestigious cultural venues throughout the country. Culinaire operates out of 30 distinct museums, performing arts centers, cultural landmarks and hotels across 13 states and employs more than 1,200 team members.
Background: Richard Gussoni started Culinaire within the Crow family portfolio of businesses and eventually purchased the Company from the Crow family in 1993. Having transitioned day-to-day operating responsibilities over to a professional management team, Richard felt that both he and the Company were at an inflection point and decided to explore options for the Company. He was seeking an arrangement that would maximize value, provide meaningful liquidity and, most importantly, find the right next owner that would act as a steward for the Company’s brand and reputation across the industry. While COVID-19 delayed his planned exit from the Company, Richard resumed his search for the ideal partner in 2024 after the business rebounded to its prior heights.
Solution: In late 2023, CMG conducted a thorough strategic options analysis including valuation guidance, potential buyer / investor candidates, and timing considerations to assist Mr. Gussoni in exploring near-term and long-term ownership options for the Company. In early 2024, CMG was engaged to conduct a targeted sale process which resulted in numerous strategic and financial offers. Richard ultimately selected the buyer he believed was the best fit to ensure the Company’s long-term success.
Project Saturn – Green Zone Surveys
A North East-based building compliance group comprising Green Zone Surveys and its subsidiary Walker Maintenance (trading as Enviroduct), has been acquired by Vadella – an acquisitive UK testing, inspection, and compliance group backed by international investment firm Blixt.
In a deal supported by FRP’s Corporate Finance team, the acquisition represents Vadella’s latest investment as it consolidates and grows a network of inspection-led businesses serving the UK’s built environment. The transaction provides significant backing for the group’s existing management team to accelerate the growth of both entities.
Based in the North East, Green Zone Surveys specialises in testing, inspection and compliance (TIC) services across commercial and business properties, while Enviroduct provides professional kitchen ductwork and ventilation cleaning services for a broad base of national clients. The deal marks the next stage in the group’s growth journey under Chief Executive Callum Thompson and the group’s leadership team. The deal will enable existing shareholders to realise their investment, while securing additional capital and support for further organic growth and selective acquisitions.
FRP’s Corporate Finance Newcastle-based team, led by Partner Phil Williams with support from Associate Directors Mo Miah and Graham Brown, acted as lead sell-side advisers. The team supported the shareholders throughout the transaction process, managed buyer engagement and negotiated heads of terms, before seeing the deal through to completion.
Project Barcelona – Unifiedpost UK
We’re pleased to have advised the UK arm of transactional communications services specialist, Unifiedpost, on its successful management buyout (MBO) from its Belgian parent company, Banqup Group.
Based in Whitefield, Unifiedpost specialises in digitising and automating the distribution of business documents and communications, as well as physical and print postal services. Originally established in Belgium in 2001, the group has an extensive client base covering sectors including automotive, financial services, pensions and local government.
Managing Director, Mark Hetem has acquired the UK arm of the business for an undisclosed amount. Under the new ownership structure, the £6million turnover firm plans to pursue growth across the UK and Europe and expand its service offering.
The sale of the UK business aligns with Banqup Group’s strategy to rationalise its portfolio by divesting non-core services to focus on digital services.
Our Corporate Finance team, led by Partner Daniel Brecker, Manager Amy Murphy and Graduate Trainee Tom Parsons was appointed by the MBO team to provide Corporate Finance and Debt Advisory services. This included sourcing a funding partner, negotiating terms and managing the transaction through due diligence, valuation and deal structuring.
Project Flow – Buston & Maughan
We’re pleased to have supported Buston & Maughan Ltd (B&M), a leading provider of social housing regeneration services, on securing minority private equity investment from Foresight Group.
Based in Crook, County Durham, B&M specialises in heating installations, kitchen and bathroom refurbishments, servicing and void works for social housing providers across the North East.
Founded in 2005 by Mick Buston and Mick Maughan, the business has grown to employ over 90 staff and delivers thousands of projects annually, serving more than 11,500 properties in its latest financial year.
Our Corporate Finance team, led by Partner Abu Ali and supported by Associate Director Mo Miah and Executive James Cockburn, was approached by B&M to identify the best options to raise funds to support its ongoing growth.
We worked closely with B&M’s shareholders to shape a process that would introduce the right growth partner. In doing so, we identified and introduced Foresight – a leading investment manager in real assets and capital for growth – as the investor that would provide the best strategic fit.
We ultimately structured a minority buyout deal and project managed the transaction through to completion, in a deal that will enable the B&M shareholders to realise the immediate value of the business while retaining majority ownership.
Foresight’s backing will provide a platform to accelerate organic growth and pursue strategic acquisitions in a sector expected to benefit from increased government spending. Beyond capital, the business will also play an active role in governance, introducing a chairperson and strengthening the leadership team.