Knill James Corporate Finance team advises on MBO of Expand Group

Knill James is pleased to announce its first corporate finance deal of 2021: the management buyout (MBO) of Brighton-based Expand Executive Search Ltd by its long-serving management team. 

Expand Group specialises in recruitment and executive search in the communication, digital and technology sectors, and has had a sustained period of growth and profitability, despite the impact of Covid-19.  Under new leadership, the company will seek to widen its market share across the telecoms, digital media, cyber security and fintech recruitment sectors.

The transaction sees Lee Walker, Richard Edwards and Aidan Walker acquire 100% of the shares from the Group Managing Director, Samantha Maxwell-Reed, who will stay on as Group Chair.

Funding support

Through its partnership with Capitalise, Knill James introduced the MBO team to various lenders, one of whom was chosen to provide additional finding to support the transaction.

A significant milestone

The Directors of Expand Group said: “This is a significant milestone for Expand and represents a new chapter for the brand.  The team has first-hand experience of our clients and offerings and, despite the challenges faced in 2020, they have performed above and beyond expectations.  We are excited to see where this year takes us!”

The MBO team added: “We all want to thank Knill James for the support which was provided, we would not have been able to do this without you.  Catherine's advice has always been spot on and gave us the confidence we needed to move through the process.  We all owe you a huge debt of gratitude and would not hesitate in recommending Knill James to others.”

Successfully kickstarting 2021

Kirsty Wilson, Corporate Finance Director at Knill James, commented: “It was great for the Knill James Corporate Finance team to kick start 2021 with a completion. We are always delighted to be part of a successful transaction, but it is particularly pleasing to see an ambitious management team come together to secure the future of the business. We wish Samantha and the MBO team every success going forward.”

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