LAVA Advisory Partners is proud to announce the successful sale of Survey Solutions, a leader in UK engineering surveying, to WestBridge, an award-winning private equity house known for nurturing the growth of ambitious UK companies.
Established in 1997 by James Cooper, Survey Solutions has evolved into a prominent engineering surveying firm in the UK, expanding significantly through strategic initiatives and acquisitions. Recognising this growth potential, RJD Partners, a private equity firm, invested in Survey Solutions in 2019, supporting the business through new management and additional funding for M&A and business improvements. Earlier in 2023, RJD Partners appointed LAVA Advisory Partners to manage an exit strategy for RJD Partners, founder James Cooper, and other shareholders.
LAVA, leveraging their technical expertise, skilfully navigated the multifaceted landscape of the sale. By identifying potential bolt-on opportunities, the team underlined the company’s prospects for growth, attracting considerable interest from potential buyers. LAVA’s approach to the scoping and management of the Commercial Vendor Due Diligence process was strategic and flexible, which, when combined with LAVA’s in-depth understanding of the TICC (Testing, Inspection, Compliance and Certification) industry, resulted in a deal with WestBridge that perfectly matched the company and sellers’ needs.
WestBridge, a private equity house renowned for driving exceptional growth, has an established track record in buy-and-build initiatives with their portfolio, making them an ideal new partner for Survey Solutions. The deal itself successfully satisfied all stakeholder objectives, delivering significant value to the exiting shareholders while aligning with the management’s vision for the business’s continued expansion.
I have been delighted with LAVA’s input on this transaction. Their deep understanding of the private equity world allowed us to run a targeted and effective process, leading to outstanding results for all parties.
Richard Caston Managing Partner, RJD Partners
Our success with this deal stemmed from a thorough understanding of Survey Solutions’ specific M&A situation. This insight allowed us to employ creative, out-of-the-box thinking, ensuring we managed the transaction’s complexities to deliver a tailored outcome that precisely answered their needs and maximised value for all stakeholders.
Simon Woodcock Partner, LAVA Advisory Partners
Working with LAVA was key to effectively communicating the strengths and potential of Survey Solutions. Their expertise in articulating our buy-and-build strategy and long-term growth plans generated significant market interest. By showcasing our past achievements and future goals, LAVA played a crucial role in securing a deal that aligns seamlessly with our vision for ongoing expansion and leadership in the sector.
David Lowe CEO, Survey Solutions
We’re really proud of our work on the Survey Solutions deal. Our strategy was to dive deep into the business and find unique angles that others might miss. This approach, combined with our technical know-how, let us see the full potential of Survey Solutions. By doing this, we were able to come up with a plan that really pushed the value of the deal up, making sure everyone involved got the best outcome.
Millie Counsell Executive, LAVA Advisory Partners
This latest transaction by LAVA underscores their adaptability and commitment to delivering exceptional results, whether working directly with founders and shareholders or, as in this case, achieving an outstanding outcome for a private equity partner. Their flexible approach to each unique M&A scenario, coupled with their signature style of building meaningful relationships, ensures a smooth and stress-free process, achieving the best possible outcome in every engagement.
To discover how LAVA Advisory Partners can assist with your specific M&A needs through a tailored, client-centric approach, contact our team for a confidential consultation. Get in touch today.
