Marston Group

Sector: Support Services

Deal Type: MBO

Date: May '02 – May '12

Deal Size: £12m

Gresham has been a great partner for us, and we are a better company for their advice, input and support over the course of the investment.

Gareth Hughes
Marston Group

Investment Overview

Marston Group is the foremost provider of enforcement services in England and Wales. It provides bailiffs and parking enforcement services, primarily for local government and magistrates' courts.

How did we help?

Gresham led the management buy-out of Drakes, a leading enforcement business, from its private owner. As is typical of a Gresham investment, the plan was to professionalise and grow - both organically and through acquisition. Drakes then acquired the business of John Marston & Co, a market leader in enforcement of High Court writs, in 2008.

The combined business, re-named Marston Group, is now the foremost provider of judicial services across England and Wales, undertaking over 600,000 instructions each year and specialising in recovery of criminal fines, High Court writs, writs of possession, council tax liability orders, Child Support Agency liability orders and road traffic debts.

Under Gresham’s ownership the company has gone from strength to strength with company profit quadrupling. It was awarded Enforcement Team of the Year in 2009, 2010 and 2011.