Directors at Leonard Curtis Business Solutions Group today welcomed the private investment deal from family investment office Arete Capital Partners in partnership with Svella PLC and described it as a hugely positive move for the fast-growing professional services brand.
The deal, which gives Arete and Svella a significant stake in the business, will further strengthen Leonard Curtis’s position as a leading business solutions provider across the UK and Channel Islands and drive future growth, building on existing capabilities and adding new specialist services aimed at its professional and SME client base.
Leonard Curtis CEO, Daniel Booth, commented: “This is a strategic deal done from a position of financial strength between people we know well, trust and who share our values. It is a great fit. It will give us the support and knowhow to extend our services, take us into new markets and become a better, more competitive business at a time of surging demand for our services.”
He continued: “Importantly, it will also provide all at Leonard Curtis with new opportunities to develop, grow and advance their careers with us. The hard work, dedication and commitment shown by everyone at Leonard Curtis is what has led to this and we are excited that they will play a massive part in our future.”
Leonard Curtis employs 239 people across 18 UK offices, including an offshore operation in Guernsey, and is the largest privately-owned provider of corporate restructuring and insolvency services in the UK.
In the last five years it has pioneered a multi-disciplinary approach to problem solving for SMEs at every stage of the business lifecycle, developing Leonard Curtis Legal and investing in its award-winning brokerage arm, Reach Commercial Finance.
Leonard Curtis CFO, Jon Mercer, commented: “Arete really understands the professional services landscape and we are looking forward to working with them, leaning on their expertise.”
Simon Lord, Joint Managing Partner at Arete Capital Partners, said: “Leonard Curtis has a strong core business model and its management team has a clear vision for the future. Our shared values give me confidence that we can bolster the Leonard Curtis Group.”
Daniel Booth again: “Working with both Arete and Svella has been enjoyable and refreshing. From the start they have committed to what they set out and delivered. We all very much look forward to working together.”
In a related move it was also announced that Director, Alex Cadwallader, would join the Group board to further bolster its senior management team.