Acuity Advises Astutis
Acuity is delighted to have advised on the sale of Astutis Limited, a leading player in the field of workforce health and safety training, in a deal worth £21.5 million to Wilmington plc.
The deal is being structured with an initial cash payment of £16.8 million and deferred consideration of up to £4.7 million contingent on Astutis’ future performance.
Founded in 2011, Astutis has emerged as a prominent player in the field of workforce health and safety training. It has also developed significant expertise in environmental management and sustainable business practices. The deal allows Wilmington to extend its capabilities into the health, safety and environmental markets.
Acuity, led by Corporate partner Christian Farrow, has acted for Astutis since its inception and has advised its executive team for over 20 years.
David Lea, Chairman at Astutis, said:
“I have worked with Christian and the wider Acuity team for over 20 years on various transactions and their commitment to excellence is evident in everything they do. One aspect that truly sets Christian apart is his personalised attention and commitment to our unique needs. It is evident that he is genuinely invested in the success of our business.”
Steve Terry, Astutis’ Managing Director also said:
“From the outset, Christian exhibited unparalleled professionalism and expertise. The complexities of M&A transactions can be overwhelming but the clarity of advice and attention to detail was at the very highest level. Christian’s ability to navigate legal nuances, anticipate challenges and offer strategic solutions was instrumental to the success of our deal and empowered our leadership team to make informed decisions with confidence.”
The training and recruitment sector has experienced remarkable expansion in recent years, with an increased emphasis on employee welfare and adherence to regulatory standards. Increasingly, businesses across diverse sectors are acknowledging the pivotal significance of allocating resources to extensive training initiatives. Elements like the evolving nature of workplace risks, the demand for specialised skills and the surge in remote working have all played roles in driving the sector’s growth.
Christian Farrow, head of Corporate M&A at Acuity commented:
“Having partnered with Astutis and witnessed its stratospheric growth from its very start, it was a pleasure to help bring the management team’s hard word and commitment to much-deserved fruition. In the intricate landscape of mergers and acquisitions within the training and education sector, Acuity’s Corporate M&A team stands as the architect of strategic success. With a detailed understanding of the legal complexities and a track record of seamlessly navigating complex transactions in the sector, we bring expertise that transforms challenges into opportunities.”
For further information about the deal and how our award-winning Corporate M&A team can help you and your business, please contact Christian Farrow.
