Safe Harbour
Led by Rodrigo Mascarenhas (ex FTSE 100 Bunzl Plc), Safe Harbour is an acquisition vehicle established to acquire a market-leading asset engaged in B2B distribution or business services.
Having secured a platform acquisition headquartered in the UK, Europe, or North America, Safe Harbour’s objective is then to generate compounding shareholder returns through accretive complementary bolt-on acquisitions.
Zegona Communications plc
Zegona has been established in partnership with former Virgin Media executives, Eamonn O’Hare and Robert Samuelson to execute a ‘Buy-Fix-Sell’ strategy in the European TMT sector, focusing on network-based communications and entertainment opportunities. In August 2015, Zegona announced the successful completion of its first acquisition with the purchase of Telecable, the leading “quad-play” telecommunications operator in Asturias, North-West Spain, for an enterprise value of €640m.
Having successfully grown the business, Telecable was later sold to neighbouring operator Euskaltel in July 2017 for a combination of cash and shares. As a result, Zegona retains an equity interest in Euskaltel and continues to evaluate new and compelling acquisition opportunities elsewhere in Europe for the second round of its ‘Buy-Fix-Sell’ strategy.
Le Chameau
Led by Chief Executive, Corry Taylor, Le Chameau is a heritage footwear brand specialising in the production of handmade rubber boots and other outdoor footwear.
Le Chameau has entered into a strategic partnership with Bradshaw Taylor, the global distributor of Schöffel Country. Le Chameau, together with Bradshaw Taylor, is growing in its core markets and expanding into new markets to provide best-in-class country footwear.
Wilmcote Holdings plc
Wilmcote Holdings plc was established to provide shareholders with attractive total returns achieved through capital appreciation. The Directors believe that opportunities exist to create significant value for shareholders through properly executed, acquisition-led growth strategies, in the industrials, manufacturing, engineering, construction, building products or support services sectors.
Realised Investments
BCA Marketplace plc
Led by Executive Chairman, Avril Palmer-Baunack, BCA owns and operates Europe’s largest used vehicle marketplace, both in terms of the number of vehicles sold and revenue, as well as the UK’s market-leading provider of vehicle buying services, We-Buy-Any-Car.com. BCA’s marketplace facilitates an efficient exchange of used vehicles between vendors and buyers through both physical and digital auctions across the UK and nine other European countries. In addition, BCA operates as a managed-vehicle services provider with a suite of value-add pre- and post-auction services, including inspection, logistics, appraisal, repair and buyer finance.
Launched: 2015
Sold: 2019
EV on exit: £2,086m
Entertainment One
Led by CEO, Darren Throop, Entertainment One (eOne) is a leading independent entertainment group, specialising in acquisition, production and distribution for film, television and music. With a comprehensive global network spanning the UK, Canada, Benelux, Spain, Australia and the US, eOne has developed an impressive library of rights, encompassing over 40,000 film and television titles and 4,500 hours of television programming.
Launched: 2007
Sold: 2015
EV on exit: £1,110m
Breedon Aggregates
Led by Executive Chairman Peter Tom, Breedon is the largest independent aggregates business in the UK operating across England and Scotland. Breedon supplies a wide range of products and services to the construction sector, employing over 1250 staff.
Launched: 2008
Sold: 2014
EV on exit: £503m
Advanced Computer Software
Led by CEO, Vin Murria, ACS is a leading provider of patient management software solutions. The company also has a presence in both the public and commercial sectors as a provider of back office solutions.
Launched: 2006
Sold: 2013
EV on exit: £453m
Concateno
Led by Chairman Keith Tozzi and CEO Fiona Begley, Concateno (rebranded to Alere Toxicology in December 2013) is a world-leading drug and alcohol misuse testing provider for organisations in over 75 countries. It operates 8 world-class laboratories, carrying out over 10 million tests per annum
Launched: 2005
Sold: 2009
EV on exit: £155m
Inspicio
Led by CEO Mark Silver, Inspicio (now Environmental Scientifics Group Ltd) is a global testing and inspection business, operating in the oil, minerals, food and soil testing sectors. It was sold to private equity firm 3i in 2008, at a time when its client base included BP, Shell and Total.
Launched: 2005
Sold: 2008
EV on exit: £271m
Melorio
Led by Executive Chairman Adrian Carey, Melorio is a vocational training company, comprised of a group of highly specialised subsidiaries providing apprenticeships and training for the construction, gas, electrical, plumbing and renewables industries. The business was sold to Pearson plc in 2010.
Launched: 2007
Sold: 2010
EV on exit: £113m
Praesepe
Led by CEO, Nick Harding, Praesepe operates a large network of high street gaming venues, encompassing 157 AGC arcades, 9 bingo clubs, and an online casino. It was acquired by the Gauselmann Group in 2012, Europe’s foremost provider of gaming machines.
Launched: 2006
Sold: 2011
EV on exit: £84m
Zetar
Led by CEO, Ian Blackburn, Zetar is a major confectionery and snack food group, manufacturing a variety of private-label products as well as branded products under licence. Zetar is the UK’s leading producer of allergen chocolate and supplier of dried fruit and nuts.