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Press Releases Archive

Gresham achieves 4x money on Warings exit

11 December 2007

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

Gresham backs shoe brand for the grey market

10 December 2007

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

Gresham backs expansion of financial services training provider 7city Learning

03 December 2007

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).

Gresham establishes energy and environmental team

12 November 2007

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.

Minivator wins Gold Award for Innovation

06 November 2007

And grows apprenticeship programe with seven new recruits.

Gresham appoints new investment partner

05 November 2007

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.

Gresham backs global toothpaste tube manufacturer in £110m deal

14 October 2007

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.

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

09 October 2007

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.

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

29 April 2007

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.

Gresham backs leading bottle manufacturer in £30m deal

09 April 2007

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”).

Gresham backs Town Centre Restaurants in £48m deal

18 December 2006

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.

Gresham sells Busy Bees for £71m

14 December 2006

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.

Gresham successfully exits Blue Group International

01 December 2006

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.

Gresham sells Individual Restaurant Company for £41m

27 November 2006

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.

Minivator wins growth and innovation award

20 November 2006

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.

Gresham sells Whitworths for £86m

31 October 2006

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.

Gresham sells 2e2 for £130m

26 September 2006

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.

Gresham appoints new investment executive

10 September 2006

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.

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

16 July 2006

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.

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

10 July 2006

Giles poised for accelerated growth.

Gresham backs the management buy-out of Just Trays

09 July 2006

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.

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

02 July 2006

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.

Flowtech wins SME of the Year award

29 June 2006

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.

Gresham backs management buy-out of Swift Technical Group

29 June 2006

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.

Gresham appoints new investment executive

09 May 2006

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

Gresham sells Alstec for £44.9m

08 May 2006

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.

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

28 November 2005

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”).

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

04 October 2005

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.

Gresham Exits ANSA 12 months After Backing MBO

04 July 2005

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.

Business Optimism Among Manufacturers Plummets Over Last Six Months

29 June 2005

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

Gresham exits Medical Support Systems Limited [MSS]

17 April 2005

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.

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

12 April 2005

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.

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

29 March 2005

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.

Gresham makes successful exit from frozen food retailer Cooltrader

17 March 2005

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.

Gresham exits Beck & Pollitzer

19 December 2004

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

Gresham backs the £12m BIMBO of PIMS Services Ltd

07 December 2004

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.

Gresham exits Penn in a deal worth £80m

03 December 2004

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

Gresham backs the MBO of Flowtech

16 September 2004

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.

Gresham backs the buy-out of leading stairlift manufacturer Minivator

19 August 2004

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

Gresham makes successful exit from Dimensions Holdings Limited

14 July 2004

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

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

01 July 2004

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.

Gresham makes successful exit from office2office

30 June 2004

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

Gresham backs expansion of frozen food retailer Cooltrader

27 June 2004

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.

Gresham Monitor reveals business confidence is at its highest since 2000

20 June 2004

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

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

13 May 2004

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.

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

22 March 2004

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

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

01 March 2004

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.

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

01 February 2004

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

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

21 January 2004

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

Gresham Monitor reveals an upturn in business optimism

05 January 2004

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

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

16 December 2003

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

Gresham appoints new Investment Director for Manchester office

10 December 2003

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.

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

12 October 2003

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.

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

19 July 2003

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.

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

10 February 2003

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.

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

06 January 2003

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

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

12 December 2002

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.

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

08 September 2002

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

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

12 August 2002

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.

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

09 July 2002

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.

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

11 June 2002

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.

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

01 June 2002

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.

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

18 February 2002

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.

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

27 January 2002

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

DML buys military logistics company from Gresham Trust

05 November 2001

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

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.

25 July 2001

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

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

11 July 2001

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.

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

11 June 2001

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.

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

27 May 2001

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

Gresham Monitor No. 2 - January 2001

19 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.

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

12 January 2001

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.

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

09 January 2001

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.

Gresham Trust backs Dimensions deal

06 December 2000

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.

Brand Partnership - Food Supplier - October 2000

05 December 2000

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

Penn Pharmaceuticals

25 September 2000

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.

Tribal Group - Instant Library

30 July 2000

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

Gresham Monitor No. 1

18 July 2000

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

Pall Mall - Cleaning & Support Services - Jun 2000

03 June 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.

Parkman Group - Engineering & Environmental Consultancy

16 May 2000

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

Alstom Automation Group - Materials Handling

04 May 2000

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.

Busy Bees - Childcare Company

06 February 2000

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.

Perfect Pizza marriage. Gresham Trust blesses £20m deal

29 November 1999

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.

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

06 October 1999

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.

LSC - Military Logistics 1998 MBO/Acquisition

24 May 1999

British military logistics specialist wins place on world stage.

Beck & Pollitzer Engineering

14 March 1998

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

Ultimate Business - Credit Control 1997 Expansion Services

05 March 1998

Two more exits for Gresham.

Perfect Pizza - Delivery/Take-away restaurants 1997 IBO

07 July 1997

Gresham Trust delivers slice of Perfect Pizza.

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

12 April 1997

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.