Caldey Corporate Finance is delighted to announce the sale of R7M Group Holdings Limited (“R7M”) to the Ancora Group (“Ancora”).
The Caldey Corporate Finance team led by Adrian Dray and Janine Vitali, advised the Shareholders of R7M, on the sale to the Ancora Group.
R7M is one the UK’s most experienced and trusted marine infrastructure and engineering works specialists.
Over the last 25 years R7M has built a reputation for delivering complex infrastructure and access solutions in tidal, coastal and offshore environments combining deep technical expertise with the practical capability to operate safely in the most challenging of conditions.
R7M’s work spans marine, civils, flood defence, offshore renewables, cables and nuclear infrastructure.
The current chairman, John Walsh joined the Board as Chairman in 2019 and subsequently led the management buyout in 2022 which resulted in the large scale expansion of the business into multi-million pound infrastructure projects through the expansion of its fleet of barges.
The Management Team of John Walsh, Kris Branford, Matt O’Sullivan and Mark Walton led this highly successful expansion. Having identified significant further market demand and opportunities, the team made the decision to join forces with the Ancora Group, to enhance its services offerings and to gain access to broader and deeper capital funding.
The Ancora Group, whose trading businesses include TMS Maritime, Marine Plant Hire and Hesselberg Erosion Protection provide design engineering, installation and maintenance of marine coastal and inland water infrastructure.
John Walsh, the major shareholder and Chairman, engaged with Caldey following previously working with Adrian. One of John’s key objectives was for Caldey to work alongside himself and his trusted lawyers, WFW to take the Headlines of a deal agreed with Ancora’s equity partners through to a successful completion
John commented “I worked with Adrian, over ten years ago. When I agreed the outline of a deal, I needed to turn to a firm and a person who I trusted and was focused on achieving my objectives of closing the deal and ensuring that we maximise the proceeds for all of the shareholders. Adrian and Janine’s dedication, commitment and focus were first class and their ability to seamlessly work with WFW having never met them prior to this deal was highly impressive. However, it was in the Locked Box and Enterprise and Equity bridge where Caldey really excelled. Their understanding of the complexities and the interdependencies of many elements of debt, working capital and cash flow ensured that we achieved an excellent result for the shareholders. Even though I have been through a number of transactions myself, we would haven’t have achieved the result we did without Caldey’s experience, clarity of thought and ability to present our position in a collegiate and robust manner.”.
He commented further:
“I found the complementary skills and ways of thinking of Adrian and Janine and invaluable at all stages of the deal. Their communication skills and their pre-emptive approach on all elements of the deal ensured we were always on the front foot delivering information that underpinned the key strengths of R7M. I wanted a smooth and efficient process and Caldey very effectively managed all sides in a collegiate way. It has been an intense eight months and throughout this period Adrian and Janine were always available, translating the complex elements of the M&A commercial and legal processes in a clear manner that gave me clarity in terms of options and the implications of those options. Caldey ensured we could a great deal and a great result.”.
Adrian Dray of Caldey commented “Caldey’s sole purpose is to deliver the best possible result for owners of businesses who have taken the huge risks of buying into businesses and investing their money and their lives in their success. The purpose of Caldey is to help them on that eventual ‘Journey to Value’. For each of our clients, it is a different and very personal journey. John and the team have turned R7M in a highly successful and sought after company and we are delighted to help translate that into a great deal for the four shareholders be that the cash received or the nature of their reinvestment, so they can go on and share in the success of the wider Ancora Group.
We enjoyed working with John, Kris, Paul, the wider R7M team and WFW who were excellent throughout the process. We are delighted that we were able to demonstrate clearly the underlying shareholder value and translate that into hard cash and an important reinvestment into Ancora .”.
Caldey Corporate Finance is an independent advisor to entrepreneurs and owner managed businesses, supporting its clients and their businesses on their journey to value through delivering strategic advice, fund raising, acquisition services, exit planning and execution.
www.caldeycorporatefinance.co.uk
Adrian Dray
07711 473237
Janine Vitali
07949 026229