Bishopsgate Continues to Buck the Trend in UK Mergers and Acquisitions

News release

2nd August 2012

Bishopsgate Corporate Finance is bucking the trend by announcing the completion of two multi-million-pound deals this month.

Kingston Foods Ltd, a producer of premium cooked and roasted meats based in Milton Keynes, has been sold to Cranswick Plc while Education Personnel Management Limited based in Huntingdon has undergone a vendor-initiated management buy-out.

Bishopsgate, based in Stamford, Lincolnshire, advised on both deals and Lead Advisor Tom Spencer says the announcement is encouraging at a time when the UK economy is showing little sign of recovery.

“Times are tough for businesses in the UK as everyone knows, but this announcement shows that there is both the confidence and the finance out there to support multi-million-pound transactions,” he said.

“We are working on a number of transactions currently and our experience suggests that despite the recession and shortage of bank funding, quality companies with solid management teams, demonstrating growth during this recessionary environment, will still attract significant interest from both trade players in the UK and overseas as well as private equity.”

Bishopsgate Corporate Finance advised the shareholders at Kingston Foods on the disposal of the company to Cranswick Plc. Following the acquisition, Kingston Foods will still operate under the Kingston Foods brand name.

Directors Tony Turner and Paul Williams will continue in their current roles at Kingston Foods, the acquisition of which will strengthen Cranswick's cooked meat production capabilities, further diversify its product range and broaden its customer base. 

Bishopsgate also handled the management buy-out at Education Personnel Management Ltd, one of the UK's leading private providers of HR services to the education sector.

The deal was backed by NatWest and allows EPM’s strong management team to share in the ownership of the company alongside founders Bev Curtis and Maureen Cooper. Both founders will remain fully involved in the running of the business.

Notes to Editors

• Bishopsgate Corporate Finance is one of the UK’s leading independent corporate finance boutiques, providing lead advisory services to businesses typically valued between £2 million and £50 million.
• Established in 1996 and based in the historic market town of Stamford, Bishopsgate Corporate Finance has advised on over 120 transactions with a total value in excess of £750 million. Its clients include private company owners, experienced management teams, large corporate Plcs and private equity firms.
• All of Bishopsgate’s directors are shareholders and this gives them empathy with their clients, many of whom are also owner-managers. Corporate finance advice is given to companies throughout the UK and across the world. Services include selling businesses acquisitions, management buy-outs and buy-ins, finance raising, business planning, corporate strategy and due diligence.
• Bishopsgate Corporate Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

Cerri Delaney
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
cerri@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @cerridelaney

Tags: