UK Spring 2021 corporate finance deals round up: helping entrepreneurs to realise their ambitions

Many of our clients are the founders of fast-growing businesses. An acceleration in growth often triggers the need to source initial institutional investment or additional investment to optimise financial structures as a business develops. Below we highlight some of the founders and management teams we’ve recently supported who were looking for investment and expertise from a partner that shares their vision and passion.

Sagacity Solutions

We advised Sagacity Solutions (Sagacity), a leading provider of tech-enabled data solutions to the utilities, telecoms and financial services sectors, on receiving significant investment from Queens Park Equity (“QPE”). Founded in 2005 by Anita Dougall, Malka Townshend and Harry Dougall, Sagacity utilises proprietary technology and IP to help clients with high volumes of customer data to maximise value by joining the dots between data, people, policies, processes and systems. QPE is investing alongside the founders to support Sagacity’s continued expansion. The investment will also enable Sagacity to accelerate the development and deployment of new and existing solutions into adjacent markets, including local authorities, insurance and other subscription-based industries.

Helios Medical Communications

We advised the shareholders of Helios Medical Communications on an investment by NorthEdge. Helios, a global healthcare communications and strategic consultancy and one of the fastest-growing companies in its sector, will use the investment to support its UK and international expansion plans. Helios’ shareholders were keen to find a partner that would support their long-term aspirations and who had the right strategic and cultural fit.

Prescient Healthcare Group

We supported the shareholders of Prescient Healthcare Group, a global product strategy advisory firm serving the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, on an investment by Bridgepoint Development Capital (BDC), which replaced Baird Capital as the majority shareholder. This is Alantra’s fourteenth deal in the pharma services sector over the last 12 months, all of which have involved significant private equity interest.

Bee Health

We advised the shareholders of the UK’s leading nutritional supplement manufacturer, Bee Health, on the sale of the company to US-based INW | Innovations In Nutrition + Wellness (“INW”), a global leader in R&D, manufacturing and support solutions for the nutrition and wellness industry. INW and Bee Health’s highly complementary product capabilities and geographic reach will significantly expand the range of services available to the combined business’s customers.

Pangaea

We advised the shareholders of Pangaea Laboratories (“Pangaea”), a global beauty business and owner of the fast-growing Medik8 skincare brand, on investment from Inflexion. This transaction has generated some of the highest multiples ever paid in the global beauty industry. Founder-led since 1999, the investment from Inflexion will enable the team to scale the business further by enhancing their digital routes to market, and by supporting their continued innovation, new product launches and international expansion.

Sigma Sports

We advised the shareholders and management of Sigma Sports, the UK’s leading premium omni-channel retailer of cycling equipment, on the sale of a minority stake in the business to Primary Capital (“Primary”), with debt funding provided by HSBC. Founded in 1992 by Ian Whittingham and Jason Turner, Sigma Sports has established an unrivalled position in the UK cycling industry due to its portfolio of premium brands and exceptional customer service. Primary will support Sigma Sports’ plans to expand its online and physical retail presence.

Absolute Collagen

We advised the founder of Absolute Collagen, the UK’s leading marine collagen supplement provider, on its minority investment from Livingbridge. The investment will help the business to increase its consumer reach, broaden its product range and expand internationally.