Rockpool Investments has provided acquisition funding to EA-RS Fire Group, a leading provider of fire protection systems to the UK data centre market. EA-RS installs and maintains fire detection, fire alarm, fire suppression, water mist and sprinkler systems for critical infrastructures such as data centres, healthcare providers and housing associations across the UK.
The business is led by an experienced management team of Alan Wheal (CEO), Mark Wheeler (Managing Director) and Derek Ferguson (CFO), who have delivered a period of strong, sustained growth and will lead the buy-and-build acquisition strategy as the business enters its next phase of growth. Andrew Aylwin, Managing Partner of MDW Capital and former Partner at Lyceum Capital, has joined the board at completion as Non-Executive Chairman.
The acquisition funding provides EA-RS with the resources to continue its impressive growth journey through further bolt-on acquisitions, adding to the three acquisitions the Company has already completed in its history.
Alan Wheal, CEO of EA-RS, said, “As a business we have been very fortunate to have been able to employ some of the leading fire engineering professionals in the market to drive a culture of engineering excellence that sets us apart. We look forward to working in partnership with Rockpool to continue our buy-and-build strategy to consolidate the UK fire engineering market, providing a home to like-minded fire engineering businesses that share our ethos and have customer service at their core. We are extremely excited about the acquisitions we have lined up for 2021 and delighted to have Rockpool support us on this journey.”
Guy Ellis and Will Beckett led the investment for Rockpool.
Guy Ellis, Investment Director, said, “EA-RS represents a unique opportunity for our investors to support a well-established buy-and-build platform with a proven track record of successful acquisitions and a market-leading reputation for fire protection in the ever-expanding UK data centre market. We are very excited to be working with Alan, Mark, Derek and Andrew to help support the business on its next phase of growth.”
Rockpool Investments is a private equity firm dedicated to finding opportunities for individuals to invest in private companies. Rockpool provides equity and loan financing of between £3m to £12m to profitable UK-based private companies and has invested over £475m since inception.
Rockpool was advised by Taylor Wessing LLP, Grant Thornton Corporate Finance, Arthur J. Gallagher & Co and Catalysis Advisory.
EA-RS Fire Group was advised by Morgan LaRoche LLP, Oracle Corporate Finance and Grant Thornton.
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