All posts by Ellyn Wright

Apprenticeships, Awards, Education News, News from Wales

Educ8 Training wins ‘People-Led Growth’ award at Wales’ Fast 50

Educ8 Training Group has won special recognition for ‘People-Led Growth’ at Wales’ 25th anniversary Fast Growth 50 Awards event in Cardiff.

This news follows on from the company being placed 5th in the ‘Best Large Company to Work For in the UK’ awards, where Educ8 proudly celebrated yet another milestone – retaining its place in the top 5 for the 3rd consecutive year.

Celebrating 25 years and welcoming over 1,100 guests to the Utilita Arena in Cardiff, Wales’ Fast Growth 50 event marks the largest ever assembly of Welsh business talent, recognising the incredible achievements of the fastest growing businesses in Wales.

Since starting in 1999, Wales’ Fast Growth 50 have given a platform to businesses to gain recognition for their achievements and contributes significantly to the Welsh economy. As of this year, the Fast Growth 50 Index expanded its reach nationally, unveiling an extensive list highlighting the 50 fastest growing businesses across seven nations and regions of the UK.

Educ8 Training Group marked its inaugural invitation to the event this year, sharing the stage with AerFin, ALS People, CP Hire GB, FlyForm, Freshwater, Pro Steel Engineering Limited, Smart Solutions Group and Yolk Recruitment Ltd. Winners are chosen based on their turnover growth over a two-year period, recognising their ability to scale rapidly and sustainably. Sponsored by the Cardiff Capital Region, the ‘People-Led Growth’ award showcases Educ8’s people-led approach to phenomenal growth.

Grant Santos, Chief Executive at Educ8 said: “We are so proud to have won the special recognition for ‘People-Led Growth’ award. This is a superb achievement and recognises the substantial growth that we’ve have had over the last couple of years.

The award encapsulates who we are as a business. Our growth and success has, and will continue to be a result of the fantastic people who make Educ8 such a great place to work.”

This year Educ8 Training Group has gone from strength to strength and remains at the forefront of innovation in the sector. From launching their brand-new Energy and Carbon Management apprenticeship to help support the Welsh Government’s target of becoming a net zero nation by 2050, to pioneering Virtual Reality (VR) in hair salons across South Wales. Educ8 is dedicated to offering innovative programmes that empower individuals to excel in their role.

Jude Holloway, Managing Director at Educ8, added: “2023 has been a monumental year for us as a group and this award is a testament to our people and our values. This award recognises and celebrates all the hard work and dedication of our staff across the Educ8 Group.

Dylan Jones Evans, Founder of Fast Growth 50, said: “After 25 years of the Wales Fast Growth 50, the performance of Educ8 demonstrates that entrepreneurial businesses are still driving prosperity and growth across the nation whilst generating wealth and jobs in their local communities. Most important of all, their success stories will hopefully inspire others to follow a similar journey.

With fifty Welsh firms generating nearly £600 million of additional turnover and creating over 2,000 new jobs between 2020 and 2022, this year’s list demonstrates yet again how innovation, enterprise and sheer hard work can make a real difference in all sectors from construction to financial services to technology.”

If you’re interested in starting your journey with Educ8 Training Group, please visit www.educ8training.co.uk to discover the variety of qualifications and apprenticeships they have to offer.

Bristol, Business, Business News, News from Wales

GS Verde Group Announce Record Deal Activity and Group Revenue in 2023

GS Verde Group, the multidiscipline corporate advisory business, has reported record M&A deal activity in 2023 resulting in record revenue growth in the same period, with over £2m of additional revenue achieved in comparison to the same period in 2022.

GS Verde Group evolved into a multidiscipline corporate advisory business in 2016. The Group specialises in providing end to end advisory services to corporates, businesses and individuals looking to buy, sell or raise investment in relation to business activities.  Corporate law, corporate finance, tax, due diligence and other legal and accountancy advisory matters are covered by the range of services within the Group.

During the course of 2023, GS Verde Group has recruited 20 additional employees and made a further 10 senior promotions across its offices in Bristol, Cardiff, and Dublin. Notably Lorna Bolton was promoted to become a senior director at Group level, Joel Dunning took up the role of Head of Tax & Accounting and Mike Fenwick and Lauren Couch were promoted and recruited to lead director roles in Cardiff and Bristol respectively.

Technology entrepreneur Gavin Johns also joined the strategic Board of GS Verde Group as non-executive Chairman.

In addition to the organic hires and promotions, the Group acquired an additional business into the group in the early part of 2023, making the successful acquisition of Integrated Finance & Technology (now GS Verde Ireland) in Dublin. This step expanded the geographic reach of GS Verde Group and maintained offices in both the UK and the EU.

Experian MarketIQ recently recorded GS Verde Group as the most active dealmakers in Wales, uniquely occupying this ranking in both the corporate legal and corporate finance Experian rankings (the only firm to do so).

The success of 2023 is seen by GS Verde Group as an ideal launch pad for further growth in 2024 with several exciting plans in motion which are set to be announced in Q1 2024.

GS Verde Group founder and CEO, Nigel Greenaway said: “2023 has been another great year. It is exciting to see the year-on-year growth from 2021 and 2022 continue and accelerate in 2023. We have significant plans and opportunities to further accelerate our growth in 2024 as we look to increased market share, additional strategic hires, and new acquisitions to broaden our geographic reach.”

The GS Verde Group are the business-focused experts in getting deals done. Offering legal, finance, tax and communications services, GS Verde Group’s multidiscipline, one-team approach streamlines the M&A process, augmenting the traditional reality of corporate transactions to increase success.

For more information on the services GS Verde Group offer, you can visit their website here.

Education News, Neath Port Talbot, News from Wales

Educ8 Training Group Launches Community Project Backed by UK Government to Improve Numeracy Skills in Neath-Port Talbot

Following a grant awarded under the UK Shared Prosperity Fund from the government as part of its ‘Levelling Up’ initiative, Educ8 Training Group, an award-winning education provider, has launched ‘Multiply.’ This community project has been developed to improve the numeracy skills of adults in Neath-Port Talbot.

Adopting the slogan ‘Calculating your Potential’, the Multiply project will target those over the age of 19 who do not have a level 2 (Grade C) GCSE Maths qualification. It will offer a variety of practical workshops and sessions in different locations across the area.

The workshops will not only provide students with a qualification equivalent to a level 2 Maths GCSE and equip them with the numeracy skills employers look for when recruiting, but the sessions will also be teaching participants essentials to everyday life. They will learn how to budget for the weekly shop, how to calculate and manage their energy costs, and how they can support children with maths homework helping to instil numeracy confidence in the next generation.

Terri Cotterell-Delap, Programme Manager at Educ8, elaborated on the potential Multiply has to make a difference to the lives of its students: “What makes Multiply so exciting is the fact that the course will provide people with the numeracy skills to perhaps get them on the career ladder or pivot to a new career path while also teaching life skills such as budgeting that are invaluable in the current cost of living crisis. It’s as much about improving well-being as it is about learning a skill and bettering your job prospects.”

Having recruited three new specialised roles to coordinate and deliver the workshops – a project coordinator, engagement officer, and training coach – the workshops are expected to begin delivery in late November.

Educ8 is a leading apprenticeship and training provider across Wales and the UK, dedicated to delivering high-quality educational and growth opportunities to learners and employers alike. The Educ8 Group has an unrivalled track record of delivering outstanding vocational training programs, and the launch of Multiply further demonstrates Educ8’s commitment to creating opportunities through education. This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Grant Santos, CEO of Educ8 added: “The inclusion of Multiply in our roster of excellent training programs and courses further emphasises the importance of life-long learning and how learning valuable skills in a hands-on environment has a positive impact on every aspect of a person’s life, both at home and in the world of work.”

The project, due to run until March 2025, will deliver its workshops in various formats and will be available weekly and monthly, with plans to run sessions in education centres, food banks, and workplaces.

Interested participants can find out more and register their interest in attending at – https://www.educ8training.co.uk/courses/multiply/

Awards, Education News, News from Wales

Educ8 Training Group Secures Top 5 Placement at ‘Best Companies to Work For’ Awards

Educ8 Training Group, a leading provider of innovative training and education solutions, has been named in the Top 5 ‘Best Large Companies to Work For in the UK’ list and has also taken the #2 spot in the ‘Best Education and Training Companies in the UK’ category.

The Best Companies list is compiled each year, naming those companies that care about doing the right thing, value their people, and understand the value of a truly engaged workforce. Businesses placed on the list are committed to fostering positivity and recognise their employees as a vital part of their success. The national, regional and sector lists for 2023 were recently revealed at a prestigious ceremony in Battersea Evolution in London.

This year marked Educ8 Training Group’s inaugural entry into the ‘Large Companies’ category, having been named in the ‘Medium Companies’ category in previous years. 2023 is the ninth consecutive year that Educ8 has been commended on the Best Companies list and the third consecutive yearthe business has been in the top 5.

The transition to the ‘Large Companies; category is a testament to the company’s exceptional growth while maintaining its commitment to providing an outstanding workplace environment for its 275 employees.

The awards ceremony, attended by companies from across the length and breadth of the UK, was a hugely encouraging experience that showcased the truly positive and empowering workplace cultures present across the country.

Grant Santos, Chief Executive at Educ8 said: “We are so pleased to have placed so highly amongst some of the best companies in the UK. Educ8 truly values its employees and the important contribution they bring to the workplace every day, and we aim to provide them with a positive and encouraging environment where they feel supported. An organisation’s employees are critical to its success, and nurturing our employees continues to be a priority for Educ8 Training Group.”

Educ8 Training Group has consistently demonstrated its commitment to employee engagement and an inclusive workplace culture by moving to an employee ownership model last year. This strategic decision saw the company transition to an employee-owned business, enabling employees to become more involved in key company decisions through a committee.

Jude Holloway, Managing Director of Operations at Educ8, added: “Moving to employee ownership was a tangible way to acknowledge and reward our exceptional staff. It was an excellent way to crystallise our other employee engagement and wellbeing initiatives that include an increased benefits package, 24/7 staff support and dedicated Rejuven8 time. We are very proud to be named in the Top 5 large companies, and this award inspires us to always strive for the happiness of our employees.”

With 275 employees, Educ8 Training Group remains at the forefront of innovation in the sector, this year introducing a new Energy and Carbon Management apprenticeship and pioneering Virtual Reality (VR) training for hairdressing apprentices in partnership with ISA Training and CEMET.

For those eager to embark on a learning journey with Educ8 Training Group, visit www.educ8training.co.uk to explore the wide range of qualifications and apprenticeships available.

Acquisitions & Partnerships, Business, Business News, Cardiff, Cardiff News, Case Studies and Partnerships, News, Tech, UK, Wales

Flotek continues impressive growth trajectory with ninth successful acquisition in 18 months

The Flotek Group has acquired Ikona IT Solutions, a Cardiff-based IT and telecoms support company, in a deal advised on by The GS Verde Group. This marks the ninth successful acquisition for the fast-growing Flotek group since it started trading eighteen months ago.

Making a name for itself as one of the most prolific IT and communications providers in the region, Flotek is known for taking an innovative and customer-centric approach to transforming networks and digital services for a huge range of businesses. Flotek’s previous acquisitions, also advised on by The GS Verde Group, have included Gower Business Systems, Cloud9ine, Liberty Solutions (Swansea) Limited, and Saecom in South Wales, alongside England-based businesses Mazing Tree, FlexiNet, ECS Solutions, and Toolk-IT, which have facilitated the group’s geographical and service expansion.

The acquisition of Ikona IT Solutions, one of the longest-serving IT support businesses in Cardiff, is particularly poignant for Flotek, as Jay Ball, Flotek CEO, and Spiro Ginis, owner at Ikona, have known each other for 16 years. There was no doubt that the future of Ikona was being placed in good hands.

Adding another strong Cardiff business with an excellent reputation to the Group’s offering, alongside their head office, will launch Flotek’s plans for accelerated growth in the capital and establish a foundation of considerable size in the South Wales area from which to realise their expansive future ambitions.

Speaking of the acquisition, Jay said: “We are pleased that Ikona IT Solutions has joined the Flotek Group. Ikona is an IT company with a wealth of experience in providing businesses with a truly varied range of IT and communication needs, all with a stellar reputation for customer service. The acquisition of Ikona means that Flotek can add these valuable services to our diverse roster, providing a more streamlined and comprehensive service for our customers.”

 

Ikona Director, Spiro Ginis, added: “Knowing Jay and his plans for the future, I believe this acquisition will only strengthen the business and allow us to continue to provide Ikona clients with the high-quality, end-to-end IT support that they know, alongside enhanced cyber security and engineering resource options. We are excited to be part of Flotek’s impressive journey.”

 

Following the recent launch of Flotek Legal, delivering cloud-based technology and streamlined workflow solutions to the legal sector, this acquisition continues the ambitious trajectory the company has charted since its inception in April 2022. Showing no signs of slowing down as the end of the year approaches, Flotek is currently working on two additional deals to be announced before 2024 arrives.

For more information about Flotek and the services it offers, please visit https://flotek.io/

The GS Verde group are business-focused experts in getting deals done. Working as a complete advisory team, GS Verde supports clients through a streamlined deal process, achieving the best possible outcome.

Monmouthshire, News from Wales

Research and Consultancy specialists are Wales’ latest employee-owned business

Abergavenny based Miller Research, which undertakes research, consultancy, and evaluation work across a range of sectors for clients in Wales and across the UK has transitioned into Employee Ownership (EO).

Managing Director and founder, Nick Miller, has sold his majority interest in the company to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), which owns the shares on behalf of all 24 employees. This step has given employees ownership of the business and a huge say in its future direction, building on the 19 years of growth overseen by Nick.

The move means they will join a list of businesses making the transition to the EO model and supporting the Welsh Government’s commitment to reach 74 employee-owned businesses by 2026.

Nick started the business in the market town of Abergavenny in 2002, and whilst the business continues to operate and have a strong presence in Wales, their agile approach to work has meant that they have been able to attract talent from across the UK and beyond as they have grown. Having started with just two staff, the business now employs a team of 23 researchers.

The business has put a particular focus on staff wellbeing with all staff members operating on a nine-day fortnight, a remote and flexible working policy, and the opportunity for pro-bono work to exist alongside their commercial interests. This has led to a healthy staff retention rate, and a group of employees who are truly invested in the future of the business.

Miller Research’s commitment to a positive employee culture and team happiness was recently recognised by the Escape100 awards, a list which represents the organisations that are leading the way in putting people and the planet on a par with profit. They placed among other industry disruptors such as Too Good To Go, Who Gives a Cr*p, and Wild Cosmetics.

Being a B Corp certified business, Employee Ownership was seen as the best succession planning option, as it aligned with their values, ethos and plans for the future. The EOT will be managed by a board of directors that includes Nick alongside long-standing staff members and Associate Directors, Kerry KilBride and Nick Morgan.

Director Nick Miller said that deciding to pursue employee ownership was a natural step given the rapid growth of Miller Research over recent years: “Miller Research has seen an increase in business even in the face of market uncertainties including Brexit and Covid-19. The key to this resilience has been a team that’s diverse in its skillset and knowledge of differing sectors. There’s no one that knows the business better than the staff, so it makes sense to keep the legacy in their hands.”

Nick added: “This EOT is just a reflection of how we want to operate as a business, and I’m really pleased to have made it happen alongside Cwmpas.”

Kerry KilBride, Associate Director who has worked at Miller Research since 2005, said: “Miller Research has always been a fantastic place to work, but in recent years we’ve made several changes to ensure that we’re giving our employees the best possible experience and opportunities. Employee ownership really is the best solution to ensure that we move the operations forward in a way that recognises those that helped build it.”

Miller Research was advised on the transition into employee ownership and the setting up of the EOT by the specialist Employee Ownership team at Cwmpas. Branwen Ellis, specialist Employee Ownership Consultant who supported Nick and the employees at Miller Research through the change of ownership, said: “It has been a pleasure working with the team at Miller Research.  Opting for a succession route that acknowledges the contribution of, and rewards employees aligns well with the ethos of a B Corp Certified business and paves the way for sustainable growth. I look forward to seeing how the business goes from strength to strength”.

Branwen added: “Working collaboratively with specialist agencies such as GS Verde means together we can highlight the benefits of EO and bring this model to many businesses across Wales”.

The GS Verde Group supported Miller Research throughout the transaction, utilising its multidiscipline expertise to achieve an optimal outcome for Miller Research that will enable the continued success of the business and the management teams’ ambitions for the future.

Speaking on the EOT, GS Verde Group’s Corporate Law Director Matt Sutton said: “We were delighted to support Miller Research in structuring and facilitating their move to Employee Ownership. GS Verde Group has advised on many Employee Ownership transactions and is pleased to work with Cwmpas and organisations like Miller Research in expanding the employee ownership sector in Wales. We are excited to see how this change will help form the foundations for Miller Research’s future success.”

The Employee Ownership Wales service is delivered by Cwmpas. It is part of the Business Wales family and funded by Welsh Government.

For more information on Employee Ownership, visit: https://employeeownershipwales.co.uk/

Carmarthenshire, News from Wales

Carmarthen Athletic RFC’s Sports Museum Receives Funding For Landmark Digitisation Project

Carmarthen Athletic RFC and award winning Learning Technology company, Aspire 2Be are thrilled to announce that funding for a groundbreaking project aimed at preserving and promoting its historic Sports Museum, has been secured. The collection of sporting memorabilia, which boasts national and international significance, will undergo a transformation that will make it accessible to a global audience while engaging the local schools community in a unique heritage initiative titled; The Early in the Morning Project.

The museum, founded in 1967 after the UK ‘Foot & Mouth’ epidemic restrictions prevented the New Zealand All Blacks touring rugby team from returning home with their leather playing boots, has been a hidden gem in Carmarthen for many decades. The physical relocation of the club, economic challenges, changing socio-economic behaviours, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have left the museum isolated in its own clubhouse, with its importance largely unknown to both visitors and the local community.

To address this, Carmarthen Athletic RFC, in collaboration with Aspire 2Be, sought funding to undertake a multifaceted project designed that has already seen professional research carried out as well as the cataloguing of all museum exhibits, providing detailed background information on each item of memorabilia, its connection to sporting legends, and its relevance in the world of sports. Subsequently, the collection will be digitised and made available to a worldwide audience through an immersive online portal.

Schools in Carmarthen have already started playing a crucial role in this project. As part of the grant funding, schools will visit the Club and Carmarthen Library to learn about the sports stars. Once knowledge has been developed, each school will then receive recording equipment, including iPads, tripods and microphones and will be guided in using these tools to capture the essence of the museum’s most iconic pieces. Pupils will delve into the rich history of sports, immersing themselves in heritage while developing digital skills.

Partner Technologist at Aspire 2Be, Ryan Evans stated that “we crafted and designed this heritage project, directly linked to the new Welsh Curriculum, ensuring it involves all teachers and pupils from 8 Carmarthen based primary schools. Pupils will research, script, film, edit, and produce videos showcasing the iconic items from the museum. The videos will then be made publicly available, celebrating the local community’s involvement in preserving this invaluable sporting heritage”.

To mark the culmination of this ambitious project, a celebration event will be organised at the club, involving pupils, parents, teachers, civic leaders, press, and club officials. This event will promote the project, unveil the club’s virtual museum, and recognise the significant contributions of Carmarthen schools, their staff, pupils, and local library staff.

This landmark project aims to breathe new life into Carmarthen Athletic RFC’s Sports Museum, ensuring that its historic significance is not lost to future generations. By engaging the local community, especially children, and embracing modern digital technologies, the project will cement the museum’s place in Carmarthen’s heritage.

Speaking on behalf of Carmarthen Athletic RFC, Museum Curator Wynne Jones, who has been involved with Carmarthen Athletic RFC in various capacities for around fifty years, mentioned there has always been a sense of pride for the unique selection of sporting memorabilia which has grown significantly over the last thirty years but “the ‘Early in the morning’ project is the perfect way to preserve the collection, in a digital format for posterity. Particularly pleasing is the participation of young local school children who will learn new skills and contribute to the project.”

This project has been commissioned by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. For more information, please contact:

Ryan Evans, Aspire 2Be / Ryan.Evans@Aspire2Be.co.uk / www.Aspire2Be.co.uk

Bristol, Business News, Wales News

GS Verde Group appoint Lauren Couch as Corporate Finance Director

Award-winning dealmaking business GS Verde Group has appointed Lauren Couch as a Corporate Finance Director within its growing team.

The appointment will see Lauren take a role as a lead Corporate Finance Director, based at GS Verde’s Bristol office. The GS Verde Group Bristol office services the South West region, and has developed a growing pipeline of transactions, which makes the appointment timely.

Lauren is joining GS Verde Group from Growth Lending (formerly called Boost Capital) where she was the Chief Revenue Officer responsible for maximising profit through revenue growth, pioneering strategy, enhancing client experience and being a national spokesperson for the business.

Lauren has 22 years’ experience in finance and has previously held leadership roles within the banking and finance sector. The roles have specialised in private equity, venture debt, asset-based lending, and invoice financing.

Commenting on her new role at GS Verde Group, Lauren said: “I’m looking forward to joining such an ambitious business, and excited to be a part of the Group’s amazing growth, particularly as they experience continuous growth in Bristol, the South West and throughout the UK and Ireland.”

Craig Blackmore, Chief Financial Officer of GS Verde Group, added: “We are delighted to welcome Lauren to GS Verde Group as a Director of Corporate Finance. Lauren’s ambitious, innovative mindset reflect the values of GS Verde Group as a dynamic, successful multidiscipline business and we are excited to see how Lauren’s expertise and valuable skills will aid in the continuous growth of GS Verde Group.”

GS Verde Group are specialist mergers and acquisition advisors. The Group includes Law, Finance, Accountancy, Tax and Communications in one multidiscipline team which provides clients with a unique end-to-end service that increases optimal outcomes for business transactions.

Lauren concluded: “It is evident that expert assistance and a fresh approach to business transactions is needed for business leaders to grow their business today. GS Verde Group’s dynamic and modern, multidiscipline approach to deal-making fills that gap in the market and answers that need for a holistic, end-to-end service.”

Lauren’s appointment as a Corporate Finance Director at GS Verde Group illustrates the Groups’ commitment to its core values by attracting like-minded, innovative talent, and signals a bright future for the Group as Lauren brings her expertise and creativity to the business.

The GS Verde Group are business focused experts in getting deals done. The group combines multiple disciplines including law, tax, finance, and communications, to provide end-to-end support as a complete advisory team.

Cardiff, News from Wales

Leading Operations Consultancy Service Extends Service Offering with Strategic Acquisition

Reinvigoration, a leading operations transformation consultancy, has acquired Lean Competency Services in a deal advised on by the GS Verde Group.

The acquisition of Lean Competency Services (which owns the license to Cardiff University’s prestigious Lean Competency System, commonly known as LCS) marks a significant milestone in Reinvigoration’s journey towards becoming a world-leading operations transformation consultancy. Furthermore, it solidifies Reinvigoration’s commitment to empowering organisations with the tools and knowledge to foster Lean thinking, drive continuous improvement, and achieve operational excellence.

As a leading operations transformation consultancy, Reinvigoration partners with operations leaders to deliver operational success by providing expert consultancy and blended, bespoke learning content. Reinvigoration’s connections with LCS go all the way back to the company’s founding, and indeed the early days of LCS. Reinvigoration Group’s CEO, Chris Dando, elaborated on this:

“Our journey with the LCS goes back to 2006, where I met Reinvigoration co-founder Ryan King on a Lean Service Operations Masters degree at Cardiff University. Our learning experience there not only changed our thinking but sowed the seeds for a different type of consultancy, and Reinvigoration was born a few years later. We at Reinvigoration knew first-hand the power of the LCS way of thinking and the positive impact that this can have, not only on organisations but more importantly the individuals within.”

Originally launched in 2005 by the Lean Enterprise Research Centre at Cardiff University, LCS has grown into an internationally recognised programme, and is the only Lean workplace-based qualification developed by a university. It has played a crucial role for organisations across the globe in implementing Lean principles, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, and achieving operational excellence.

One of Reinvigoration’s first ambitions was to become an LCS accredited organisation, which was achieved in 2010. Since then, Reinvigoration has certified over 5,000 people across the world, who have used their new skills to benefit themselves and their organisations.

Simon Elias, former Director of LCS, added: “Reinvigoration Group is fantastically placed to develop the LCS into the future, as it was founded by two graduates of Cardiff University’s Lean Enterprise Research Centre’s MSc in Lean Operations, and the Group has since built a strong reputation and developed significant expertise in continuous improvement services. This is an extremely positive development for the LCS and will herald in an exciting new era for the organisation.”

GS Verde Group’s multidiscipline team advised Reinvigoration throughout the transaction, including legal and financial due diligence, deal planning, structuring, and negotiation for a truly end-to-end service.

Business News, News from England, News from Wales, South West

Dock Solutions Completes Management Buyout

Dock Solutions, the UK’s largest manufacturer of loading bay equipment, is pleased to announce the completion of a management buyout led by General Manager Joshua Hale in a deal advised on by the Cardiff-based GS Verde Group.

With a strong trading history of nearly 20 years, Dock Solutions offers bespoke manufacturing of levellers, lifts, industrial doors, and shelters, as well as product maintenance carried out by their expert team.

Joshua Hale has been an integral part of the company’s growth in recent years. Starting as an apprentice in 2016, Joshua quickly became committed to Dock Solutions’ ethos and vision, building great relationships and excelling in his role.

Joshua would eventually play a key role in growing Dock Solutions’ annual turnover from £2.6m to £4.9m in the space of four years, and the business achieving chartered status in 2020. Now, Joshua has completed an MBO of the business he first joined as an apprentice seven years ago.

Under the new ownership, Dock Solutions will remain dedicated to its commitment to go the extra mile for their customers and to upholding the history of British manufacturing and engineering with the products and services they provide.

The Management Buyout of Dock Solutions also means the business can continue its growth plans of expanding across the UK and opening a northern depot in Q1 of 2024, led by the people who know the business best.

Speaking on the MBO and his journey with Dock Solutions, Joshua said: “Back in 2016, I had a job paying £5.50 per hour, and as an apprentice I never would have thought I’d be in this position today. It is a great example of how apprenticeships work in certain industries, and I am so excited to take Dock Solutions into the future with our fantastic team at the helm.”

GS Verde Group was delighted to support Joshua and Dock Solutions in this exciting new chapter for the business, working with them throughout the deal-making process to achieve an optimal outcome for Dock Solutions’ continued success and the new management team’s ambitions for the future.