OUR Unquoted Equity team are pleased to announce today the completion of their first transaction of 2016 on behalf of Members of Chelverton Investor Club.
Elsecar-based Hickton Consultants Limited has been acquired from its founder, Tony Hickton, for an undisclosed consideration. Members of Chelverton Investor Club, a syndicate of High Net Worth private investors, together with Chelverton Equity Partners (CEPS plc), a private equity investment vehicle publicly traded on the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) raised circa £1m of equity towards the transaction, investing alongside Managing Director, Tony Mobbs, with supporting debt finance from Yorkshire Bank Invoice Finance.
Hickton is a market-leading provider of Clerks of Works services to the construction sector, performing a Quality Assurance role on more complex and high value projects, on behalf of Project Management firms, Architects, Contractors and end user clients throughout the UK.
At a time when skills and experience in the construction market are in short supply, Hickton has found its services in increasing demand, helping to ensure projects are delivered both on time and on budget. In what is a very fragmented market place, Hickton provides the re-assurance that clients seek through its 25 year track record, and the resources at its disposal to deliver on the most complex of jobs.
Chelverton Unquoted Equity Investment Director, Richard Bucknell, who led the transaction on behalf of Members of Chelverton Investor Club, and who will join the Board of Hickton, commented:
“Tony Hickton planned for his succession with the appointment of Tony Mobbs four years ago. Since then, the business has continued to develop, and we’re delighted to support Tony Mobbs in acquiring a stake in the company and to help take the business forward at what is an exciting time for the firm. As a market-leader in an established but growing niche, Hickton is a classic example of the type of business and investment opportunity that our Investor Club Members are keen to support.”
Since launching the Investor Club in 2013, our Unquoted Equity team have seen a significant uplift in its investment activity within the equity gap* under-served by the more established private equity community.
“It’s an area of the market where investors recognise that good returns can be delivered, with business valuations at sensible levels and company growth prospects looking better than for some years”, says Bucknell. “High Net Worth individuals can access these opportunities through our Investor Club, and we’re seeing strong levels of interest amongst prospective investors at this time.”
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*private companies looking to raise investment funds of between £500,000 and £5m.