Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance (RGCF) has recorded one of its most successful years to date, based on deal volumes and fees generated.
In the 12 months to 31 August 2016, RGCF advised on more than 20 high profile transactions for clients across the UK, which have involved private equity-backed, UK-listed and overseas-listed businesses.
Among them was the £17.1m inward investment made by Japanese-listed Trust Tech Inc. with its acquisition of MTrec Ltd, one of the North East’s leading providers of staffing and training solutions, which was named as the September 2016 ‘Deal of The Month’ by the national corporate finance trade publication, Insider.
The acquisition was Trust Tech Inc.’s first strategic acquisition in Europe and will provide a foundation for further acquisitions on the continent. The company plans to work closely with MTrec’s existing management team to create a truly global staffing and training solution by bringing together their collective resources, expertise and experience.
Other significant transactions over the last 12 months have included the sale of one of Kent’s largest independent education staffing businesses, Classic Education Ltd, to AIM-listed Servoca Plc.
Additionally within the education staffing sector, RGCF advised the shareholders of North Yorkshire-based Just Teachers Ltd on the sale of a controlling stake in the c£16m turnover, five-location business, to Synarbor Group (which is backed by the private equity firm Sovereign Capital) to support its expansion into new locations and markets.
RGCF also supported the continued growth of Northumberland agricultural merchant, Green (Agriculture) Co, by facilitating its acquisition by Carrs Billington, whilst advising haulage and transport company, Revis Transport Limited on the strategic acquisition of Spandler Bros.
Carl Swansbury, partner at Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance, said: “We have had an extremely productive 12 months, which reinforces our position as an active mid-market corporate finance advisory firm. Despite the economic and political uncertainty surrounding the EU Referendum and the unanswered questions over the UK’s future relationship with the European Union, we continue to work with clients that are committed to growth and investment.
“While there was some initial turbulence in the immediate wake of the vote on the 23rd June, the economy, for the moment, has stabilised. The fall in the value of the Pound against currencies such as the Dollar and the Yen presents real opportunities for UK exporters and for overseas trade buyers who may be looking to purchase UK assets.
“The acquisition of MTrec by Trust Tech Inc. is a good example of a transaction that not only highlights foreign interest in acquiring UK companies, but also demonstrates confidence in the UK as still being a good place to do business despite Brexit.
“We are currently advising on a number of transactions that involve international purchasers, which further reinforces this trend.”
Carl added: “We have built a strong team at RGCF, which has enabled us to form close relationships with a large number of growing and established businesses across a variety of sectors throughout the UK. We anticipate continued growth in our M&A activity in the year to 31 August 2017, which has already begun in earnest with a pipeline of transactions already earmarked to complete in the coming months.”