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Press Releases Archive

11 December 2007

Gresham achieves 4x money on Warings exit

Gresham Private Equity today announces that it has successfully exited Warings through the sale of the business to the French Group, Bouygues Construction.

10 December 2007

Gresham backs shoe brand for the grey market

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has invested £21 million in Hotter Shoes (“Hotter”).

03 December 2007

Gresham backs expansion of financial services training provider 7city Learning

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has backed the management buy-out of 7city Group Ltd (7city).

12 November 2007

Gresham establishes energy and environmental team

Gresham, the mid market private equity firm today announces the creation of a dedicated energy and environmental team that aims to build on the successful investments the firm has already made in these sectors.

06 November 2007

Minivator wins Gold Award for Innovation

And grows apprenticeship programe with seven new recruits.

05 November 2007

Gresham appoints new investment partner

Gresham, the mid market private equity firm, has appointed James Slipper as a partner in its investment team. The appointment is effective as of 3 December 2007.

15 October 2007

Gresham backs global toothpaste tube manufacturer in £110m deal

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has backed the secondary buy-out of Betts Global Limited (“Betts”) from Permira, Royal Bank of Scotland and the Bank of Scotland in a deal with a total funding package in excess of £110m.

10 October 2007

Gresham backs the management buy-out of West Cornwall Pasty Co.

Gresham, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has backed the buy-out of West Cornwall Pasty Company (“WCPCo”) from its shareholders.

30 April 2007

Gresham achieves 12x money on £67m exit of Penn Pharmaceuticals

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has exited Penn Pharmaceuticals (“Penn”) through the sale of the business to LDC in a deal worth £67m.

10 April 2007

Gresham backs leading bottle manufacturer in £30m deal

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, has provided a total funding package in excess of £30 million to support the future growth of Esterform Packaging (“Esterform”).

18 December 2006

Gresham backs Town Centre Restaurants in £48m deal

Gresham, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has backed the secondary buy-out of Town Centre Restaurants (“TCR”) from HBOS IF, in a deal with a total funding package of £48m.

14 December 2006

Gresham sells Busy Bees for £71m

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has agreed to sell Busy Bees to the Australian company ABC Learning Centres Limited in a deal worth £71m.

01 December 2006

Gresham successfully exits Blue Group International

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has successfully exited Blue Group International through the sale of the business to HCL plc (formerly Healthcare Locums Plc) in a deal worth £12m.

27 November 2006

Gresham sells Individual Restaurant Company for £41m

Gresham Private Equity (“Gresham”), the UK mid-market private equity firm, today announces that it has successfully exited Individual Restaurant Company Limited (“IRC”) through the sale of the business to Bank Restaurant Group plc (“Bank”) for a value of up to £41m.

20 November 2006

Minivator wins growth and innovation award

Minivator, the country’s second largest supplier of stairlifts, bathlifts and platforms was awarded the Business Growth & Innovation Award at the Best of Black Country Awards, sponsored by BDO.

31 October 2006

Gresham sells Whitworths for £86m

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has successfully exited Whitworths through the sale of the business to European Capital in a deal worth £86m.

27 September 2006

Gresham sells 2e2 for £130m

Gresham, the UK mid-market private equity firm, today announces that it has successfully exited 2e2 through the sale of the business to Duke Street Capital for £130m.

11 September 2006

Gresham appoints new investment executive

Gresham, the mid-market private equity firm, announces today that Simon Hemley has joined the investment team as an investment executive. He will be based in London.

17 July 2006

Gresham raises £340m for Gresham 4 fund within one month

Gresham, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has raised £340m in its Gresham 4 fund, just one month after launch.

11 July 2006

Gresham backs the management buy-out of leading insurance broker Giles

Giles poised for accelerated growth.

10 July 2006

Gresham backs the management buy-out of Just Trays

Gresham Private Equity, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has backed the management buy-out of Just Trays, the UK’s leading manufacturer of shower trays.

03 July 2006

Sir Digby Jones speaks at his first official engagement since leaving the CBI at Gresham's Business & Support Services sector dinner

Speaking on his first official engagement since leaving the CBI on Friday 30th June, Sir Digby Jones shared his opinions on the UK government and business community at the Gresham Business & Support Services sector dinner at the Hotel du Vin, Birmingham on Monday 3rd July.

30 June 2006

Flowtech wins SME of the Year award

Flowtech, the leading supplier in the UK of pneumatic, hydraulic and related industrial products for repair and maintenance, was today awarded The Business Liverpool SME of the Year Award at the Daily Posts Regional Business Awards ceremony.

30 June 2006

Gresham backs management buy-out of Swift Technical Group

Gresham, the UK mid market private equity specialist, today announces that it has backed the management buy-out of Swift Technical Group (”Swift”), the market leader in global recruitment and relocation focused on the oil and gas sector.

10 May 2006

Gresham appoints new investment executive

Gresham, the mid-market private equity firm, announces today that Mike O’Brien has joined the investment team as an investment executive.

09 May 2006

Gresham sells Alstec for £44.9m

Gresham, the UK mid-market private equity firm, today announces that it has made a successful exit from Alstec Group Limited (“Alstec”), a nuclear and airport services operator.

28 November 2005

Gresham backs management in buy-out of leading UK menswear retailer, The Speciality Retail Group (SRG)

Adrian Wright, the former Chief Executive of Moss Bros, and the management team announce the successful management buy-out (“MBO”) of the leading menswear retailer The Speciality Retail Group (“SRG”).

05 October 2005

Gresham backed 2e2 Wins Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Gresham, the UK mid-market private equity firm, is pleased to announce that Terry Burt (Chief Executive) and Mark McVeigh (Chief Operating Officer) of the Gresham backed IT services company 2e2 Group have been named as Technology & Communication Entrepreneur of the Year in the 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year awards.

05 July 2005

Gresham Exits ANSA 12 months After Backing MBO

Gresham today announces that it has made a successful exit from ANSA, a national claims management business that offers a fully integrated service to deal with insurers' drainage claims.

30 June 2005

Business Optimism Among Manufacturers Plummets Over Last Six Months

New research has revealed that confidence levels among the directors of mid-sized manufacturing companies in Britain has dropped considerably.

18 April 2005

Gresham exits Medical Support Systems Limited [MSS]

Gresham today announces it has made a successful exit from MSS, specialists in the development and manufacture of high quality foam pressure-reducing products for the healthcare market.

13 April 2005

Gresham backs money brokers to take Trio Holdings PLC private in £28.5m deal

Gresham, the mid-market private equity house, has announced that it has successfully backed the management buy-out (MBO) of Trio Holdings PLC (Trio), which is currently listed on the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and admitted to trading on the London Stock Exchange.

30 March 2005

Gresham backed 2e2 acquires the offshore IT services division of XKO plc

An IT services group backed by Gresham, the mid-market, regionally based UK private equity specialist, today announces the successful completion of its latest acquisition.

17 March 2005

Gresham makes successful exit from frozen food retailer Cooltrader

Gresham, the regionally based mid-market private equity firm, announces that it has made a successful exit from the frozen food retailer Cooltrader by selling its 35% stake to Baugur.

19 December 2004

Gresham exits Beck & Pollitzer

Gresham today announces it has made a successful exit from Beck & Pollitzer, one of Europe's leading engineering services contractors.

07 December 2004

Gresham backs the £12m BIMBO of PIMS Services Ltd

Gresham today announces that it has backed the £12m buy-in management buy-out (BIMBO) of PIMS Services Ltd, a support services business offering installation and maintenance of sewerage and drainage pumps.

03 December 2004

Gresham exits Penn in a deal worth £80m

Gresham today announces that it has substantially exited from the leading pharmaceutical outsourcing services and manufacturing business Penn Pharmaceuticals.

17 September 2004

Gresham backs the MBO of Flowtech

Gresham Manchester has backed the management buy-out of Flowtech, the leading catalogue supplier of pneumatic and hydraulic products in the UK. Gresham is backing the existing operational management team and Stan Keyworth joins as chief executive.

20 August 2004

Gresham backs the buy-out of leading stairlift manufacturer Minivator

Gresham, the mid-market private equity firm, has backed the management buy-out of leading stairlift manufacturer Minivator.

15 July 2004

Gresham makes successful exit from Dimensions Holdings Limited

Gresham, the regionally based mid-market private equity firm, today announces that it has made a successful exit from Dimensions Holdings Limited.

02 July 2004

Gresham backs the management buy-out of Ansa, a leading outsourcing business to UK insurance companies

The Manchester office of Gresham, the mid-market private equity firm, has backed the management buy-out of Ansa, a national specialist outsourcing business that offers a fully integrated service to deal with insurers' drainage claims.

01 July 2004

Gresham makes successful exit from office2office

Gresham-backed office2office, the office supplies group, has listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange valuing the business at £65m.

28 June 2004

Gresham backs expansion of frozen food retailer Cooltrader

Gresham, the regionally-based middle market private equity house, is backing a roll-out of discount frozen food business retailer Cooltrader by the management team that built-up Iceland Group plc.

21 June 2004

Gresham Monitor reveals business confidence is at its highest since 2000

UK middle-market managers are more optimistic about the prospects for their businesses than at any time since July 2000.

14 May 2004

Gresham LLP exceeds target of £200m for Gresham III fund

Gresham LLP, the independent regionally based mid-market private equity house, today announces it has raised £235 million in its Gresham III fund, exceeding its target of £200 million, just over a year since becoming an independent group.

22 March 2004

Gresham backed 2escape2 makes its fifth acquisition in ten months with the £22m acquisition of Prime Business Solutions

Gresham-backed IT services group, 2escape2, announces the successful completion of its latest acquisition.

01 March 2004

Gresham backs Sugar Lounge and Est Est Est founders in £18m buy-out of Individual Restaurant Company

Steven Walker, founder of Manchester's Sugar Lounge bar, together with Derek and Edwina Lilley, founders of the Est Est Est restaurant chain, have today secured a £18m funding package from Gresham and Lloyds TSB to roll out the Bar&Grill and Piccolino restaurants across the UK.

01 February 2004

Gresham announces the publication of the Private Equity in Chemicals Report, in association with the Chemical Industries Association.

A report commissioned by the Chemical Industries Association and prepared by Cogency.

21 January 2004

2escape2 completes two further acquisitions to complement existing portfolio of IT services

Gresham-backed IT services group, 2escape2, announces the successful completion of two acquisitions.

05 January 2004

Gresham Monitor reveals an upturn in business optimism

UK middle market managers are more optimistic about the prospects for their business than at any other time since July 2002.

16 December 2003

Gresham announces interim close of its Gresham III fund at £153m; on target

Gresham, the regionally-based mid-market private equity firm, today announces an interim closing of its Gresham III fund.

10 December 2003

Gresham appoints new Investment Director for Manchester office

Gresham, the regionally based mid-market private equity firm, today announces the appointment of Andy Marsh as Investment Director based in Gresham's Manchester office.

13 October 2003

1st Credit secures £20m second round funding from Gresham and Barclays

1st Credit, the fast-growing consumer debt purchase and collection business, today announces it has secured £20m second round funding from Gresham, the regionally-based UK mid-market private equity house, and Barclays Bank.

20 July 2003

Gresham backs proven team with an initial £6.6m towards their buy and build strategy.

Gresham is backing a highly experienced IT outsourcing management team with an initial £6.6m of working capital to expand its business, 2escape2, with a buy and build strategy in the IT services market.

10 February 2003

Gresham backs £24.5m management buy-out of Altair Filter Technology. Gas turbine filter specialist targets new markets

Gresham, the mid-market private equity house, has backed the management buy-out by Andrew Steel and Steve Wenger of Altair Filter Technology, in a deal which values the specialist filter systems and acoustic equipment manufacturer at £24.5m.

06 January 2003

Bottom line concerns temper M&A optimism, says Gresham Monitor. Managers unimpressed by aged 70 retirement proposals.

Economic and fiscal factors which affect business performance are now top of the agenda for UK middle market managers.

12 December 2002

Gresham backs Brand`s acquisition of Crosse & Blackwell brands. Purchase boosts Brand`s instant snack food range

Gresham, the private equity house, has backed the acquisition by Leeds-based Brand Partnership of Crosse & Blackwell’s dried sauce and Snack Stop business from Premier Foods.

09 September 2002

Gresham goes independent. Zurich supports new role for middle market private equity managers

Gresham, the private equity house, is spinning out of the Zurich Financial Services Group to become an independent private equity management company.

13 August 2002

Gresham backs Brand's acquisition of Telford Foods. £8m development capital for technology and new products

Gresham, the private equity house, has provided Brand Partnership with £8m in development capital to fund the acquisition of dried soups and sauces manufacturer, Telford Foods, from the Netherlands-based Wessanen group.

10 July 2002

Gresham Monitor highlights growing optimism and deal upturn in middle market. National Insurance changes to hit profits and jobs

UK middle market managers are experiencing a burst of optimism about growth prospects for their own businesses and for the UK economy - the first real signs of increasing confidence for two years.

12 June 2002

Gresham's Manchester office backs £12m Drakes management buy-out. Outsourcing legislation spurs growth in fines collection market

Gresham, the private equity house, has backed the £12m management buy-out of Drakes Group, the UK's leading provider of bailiff and parking enforcement services.

02 June 2002

Gresham backs Busy Bees' acquisition of Kindercare. Deal makes nursery care provider No 2 in the market

Gresham, the private equity house, has backed the acquisition by Busy Bees, the highly respected national childcare facilities company, of the Lancashire-based Kindercare group, the largest independent childcare provider in the north-west.

18 February 2002

Gresham Monitor shows first signs of upturn in middle market M&A cycle. UK companies waking up to new capital gains tax breaks

UK managers are expecting to undertake more transactions this year than in 2001 - a welcome signal that the sharp slowdown experienced in mergers and acquisitions activity in recent quarters is set to reverse.

27 January 2002

Gresham Trust leads £16m backing for debt management group, 1st Credit. Second time funding for entrepreneur Mike Cleary

Gresham Trust, the private equity house, is backing debt management entrepreneur Mike Cleary, aged 45, for the second time in his business career.

05 November 2001

DML buys military logistics company from Gresham Trust

DML, owner of Devonport Royal Dockyard, has acquired the UK's largest independent military logistics consultancy company, LSC Group, based in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

26 July 2001

Gresham steps up regional activity and expands team - new Northern office to open this autumn Gresham Monitor highlights gloomier outlook of UK's backbone companies.

Gresham, the private equity house, is opening an office in Manchester this autumn and expanding its regional team.

12 July 2001

UK's middle market managers feel left out in the cold by government

Middle market managers' confidence in prospects for their own companies and for the UK economy is waning fast - but not because of the widely publicised environmental, transport or dot com crises.

12 June 2001

Gary Ward joins Gresham Trust in Birmingham. Spearheading deal origination activities

Gary Ward is joining the middle market private equity specialist Gresham Trust. He will operate from Gresham's Birmingham office as head of business development for the regions.

28 May 2001

Gresham Trust and KPMG support healthy snacking habit. £15m buy-out for Whitworths

Whitworths, the UK's largest supplier of dried fruits and nuts, has been bought by its management in a £15m deal.

19 January 2001

Gresham Monitor No. 2 - January 2001

Middle market companies want the government to get to grips with the strong pound and the unresolved question of UK entry to the European Monetary Union.

12 January 2001

£10m to fly Banner. Gresham Trust backs business supplies buy-out

Gresham Trust, the private equity house, is backing a £10m deal for the management of Banner Business Supplies to buy the company from its current shareholders.

09 January 2001

Medical Support Systems buy-out supported by Gresham Trust Corporatewear leader in £14.6m management buy-out.

Cardiff-based MSS, a market leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of medical foam mattresses and cushions, has been bought out by its management team.

06 December 2000

Gresham Trust backs Dimensions deal

Dimensions Corporatewear of Hinckley in Leicestershire, the UK's leading supplier of corporate clothing to the staff of supermarkets, banks, shops, and hotels, has been acquired in a £14.6m management buy-out.

05 December 2000

Brand Partnership - Food Supplier - October 2000

Gresham Trust, the private equity house, is backing Brand Partnership's new expansion financing with an undisclosed sum.

26 September 2000

Penn Pharmaceuticals

Penn Pharmaceuticals, the Tredegar-based company, which has developed an international business servicing the pharmaceutical industry, is being taken over by its management team from shareholders in a £12m buy-out.

31 July 2000

Tribal Group - Instant Library

Tribal Group, the public sector outsourcing company, announces the acquisition of Instant Library, the leading UK outsourced managed library services company.

19 July 2000

Gresham Monitor No. 1

Three-quarters of the UK's middle market companies are optimistic about their business prospects for the next 12 months.

04 June 2000

Pall Mall - Cleaning & Support Services - Jun 2000

Britain's biggest company in the retail cleaning sector has been formed by Pall Mall Support Services Ltd, the London-based cleaning and support services specialist, buying Compass Cleaning Ltd, with headquarters in Grantham.

17 May 2000

Parkman Group - Engineering & Environmental Consultancy

Gresham Trust, the private equity house, has backed a £10m management buy-out of Parkman Group plc, a multi-disciplined engineering and environmental consultancy.

05 May 2000

Alstom Automation Group - Materials Handling

A management buy-out of the Alstom Automation Group has now been completed with the backing of Gresham Trust, who are taking a majority stake in the business.

06 February 2000

Busy Bees - Childcare Company

Gresham Trust, the private equity investor, has led a £50 million funding package for Busy Bees, the Staffordshire based childcare company, to provide new childcare facilities particularly within the health sector.

29 November 1999

Perfect Pizza marriage. Gresham Trust blesses £20m deal

Perfect Pizza, which has become the largest independent pizza delivery and takeaway business in the United Kingdom and is still expanding, has been bought for £20m by Papa John's International Inc, the third biggest pizza company in the United States.

07 October 1999

Gresham Trust backs £55m ColourCare deal. Management buy-out of leading UK photoprocessor

ColourCare, the UK's largest wholesale photoprocessor, is being bought by its management in a £55m deal arranged and led by Gresham Trust, the private equity house.

25 May 1999

LSC - Military Logistics 1998 MBO/Acquisition

British military logistics specialist wins place on world stage.

14 March 1998

Beck & Pollitzer Engineering

Gresham Trust, the private equity house, has funded its third major investment in six weeks with a £28m deal for Beck and Pollitzer Engineering.

05 March 1998

Ultimate Business - Credit Control 1997 Expansion Services

Two more exits for Gresham.

08 July 1997

Perfect Pizza - Delivery/Take-away restaurants 1997 IBO

Gresham Trust delivers slice of Perfect Pizza.

13 April 1997

Credit management firm bought by its managers. Gresham Trust backs £4.2m deal for CCI Group Plc

The fast-growing credit management company, CCI Group Plc, which collects debts on behalf of some of Britain’s biggest utilities, banks and credit agencies, has been acquired by senior staff through a new holding company Ultimate Business Services Plc.

28 January 1997