Newcastle-based Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance has advised on a Management Buy Out at Kea Consultants, which is one of the most successful investment professional executive search firms based in London.
Co-founder Caroline Sage has acquired the majority of Kea Consultants’ shares from the company’s other co-founder Hephzi Nicol. As part of the deal Cassandra Goodwin has bought a small equity stake in the business.
Established by Mrs Sage and Mrs Nicol in 2009, Kea Consultants has carved out a significant niche within executive search, placing junior to mid-senior investment professionals into private equity, venture capital firms, hedge funds, sovereign wealth funds and family offices across the world.
With a growing team operating from its offices in Holborn, central London, Kea Consultants has become one of the leading recruitment companies operating in its field. As a result of the MBO, Ms Nicol will exit from the business with Ms Sage and Ms Goodwin leading the consultancy’s management team on a programme of strategic growth.
Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance, which represented Ms Nicol during the transaction, has worked alongside the business for more than four years. The corporate finance advisors have built a strong reputation in advising businesses in the recruitment and staffing sector, having advised on a number of transactions over recent years.
Carl Swansbury, partner at Ryecroft Glenton, led the advisory team for Ms Nicol, supported by legal advisor Nik Tunley, partner at Stockton-On-Tees-based Endeavour Partnership. The purchasers were advised by Peter Coats from RLB Law and Trevor Lake at LB Corporate Finance. Finance for the Management Buy Out was provided by ABN Amro.
Carl Swansbury, partner at Ryecroft Glenton Corporate Finance, said: “We are delighted to have advised on this transaction, along with Nik Tunley of Endeavour Partnership, given the reputation of our client’s business within its sector. This transaction further highlights our experience and expertise in advising businesses in the recruitment and staffing sector.”
Caroline Sage said: “The strategy Hephzi and I put in place to establish and grow the business has been very successful and created a solid platform for the future, it has been fantastic to work with her over the last six and a half years. I am now very excited to continue this growth with an exceptional team in place and I feel we are in the strongest position to date to continue providing the highest service to our clients.
Hephzi Nichol said: “I am very proud of what we have achieved at Kea Consultants and I am confident the business will go from strength to strength under the stewardship of Caroline and Cassandra.”