Project Anchor – South Shields FC
We’re pleased to have advised South Shields FC on the sale of a majority stake to an international investor consortium, securing long-term backing for one of the North East’s most storied football clubs.
The deal sees an investor group backed by ORY Investment Holdings acquire a majority shareholding in the club. Geoff Thompson, who has led the club since 2015 and overseen three promotions, remains in place as chairman and a significant shareholder.
Founded in 1888, South Shields FC competes in the National League North and plays its home matches at Mariners Park. A key pillar of the local community, the club has enjoyed success both on and off the pitch, including winning the FA Vase at Wembley in 2017.
Recent years have seen the club undergo a significant transformation. Major investment has been made in its stadium infrastructure alongside strengthening its Foundation, which delivers community and school programmes in the local area. The club has also invested in developing its academy system and establishing international partnerships in the United States and Asia.
Our Newcastle Corporate Finance team was appointed by the club to help explore long-term ownership options. The team supported a global search process that involved discussions with potential investors from the UK and overseas before identifying the successful consortium.
The new ownership group is anchored by ORY Investment Holdings and led by Jason Ye. The consortium brings together investors from the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore with experience across capital markets and business investment, as well as a shared interest in sports investment.
The transaction reflects growing international interest in heritage football clubs with strong community foundations, as investors increasingly look beyond the top-flight game to clubs that play an important role in their local economies and communities.
Search for buyers/investors: c. 8m EBITDA Travel agency for groups
Leading Belgian group travel and cruise package operator serving the 50–70+ demographic; c. €89m revenue, c. 8–10% EBITDA margin, 10–15% annual growth over the past three years.
What they do
- Fully organised package and group travel (cruises, pilgrimages, group tours, city trips, etc.)
- Quality-led positioning (not budget, not luxury)
- Proprietary tour operating capabilities developed in-house over the past 2–3 years
- Dominant in Dutch-speaking market including sole NL-speaking operator in Brussels
Why interesting
- Structural tailwind: loyal, repeat 60+ customer base in a growing demographic
- Vertical integration story: bringing more value chain in-house
- Asset-light, recurring revenue profile with strong brand loyalty
What they are looking for: hands-on, long-term partner (minority or majority) with experience in internationalisation and/or leisure travel to support organic growth, professionalisation, and a potential Netherlands expansion.
Project Rightwork – Catering Services International
We’re pleased to have supported a leading hospitality recruiter in Bath with its transition to an employee ownership model.
Catering Services International is an award-winning hospitality employment agency with over 35 years of experience matching staff with businesses across the UK. With 11 regional offices the company works with a wide range of firms from independent venues to major hospitality groups.
It has now become 100% employee-owned, after establishing a new Employee Ownership Trust that gives its employees a direct stake in the business.
The move to employee ownership marks a significant milestone for the company, ensuring the continued independence of the business while preserving its culture and long-standing commitment to client service and staff development.
Our Corporate Finance team acted as lead advisers to Catering Services International on this deal. We managed the creation of the new trust, supporting on the valuation, structuring and negotiations while also delivering specialist tax advisory and clearance assistance.