Dealmakers advise on management buyout of SQW Group

08 January 2019 Consultancy.uk

The management of SQW Group, a firm specialising in economic and social policy, innovation management and consultancy services to SMEs, has completed a management buyout. The deal was advised on by M&A experts from Liberty Corporate Finance and Penningtons Manches.

Established in 1983, SQW now operates all over the world. Comprising of SQW, Oxford Innovation, Oxford Innovation Services – one of the UK’s leading innovation centre operators – and Oxford Investment Opportunities Network (‘OION’), the organisation’s origins can be traced to Britain’s two ancient university cities: Oxford, through Oxford Trust founders, Martin and Audrey Wood, and Cambridge, through SQW’s work in producing The Cambridge Phenomenon.

The consultancy specialises advising clients on public policy, working with entities from the public, private and voluntary sectors to research, develop, implement and evaluate social and economic development interventions. It now employs over 250 people across regional offices in London, Oxford and Edinburgh, and provides business support to over 4,000 entrepreneurs and small businesses each year, raises investment capital for early stage innovative companies and is a leading provider of consultancy to local and national policy makers.

Dealmakers advise on management buyout of SQW Group

Now, as the consultancy looks to increase its foothold in a host of national and international markets, SQW has been acquired by its management in a deal led by CEO David Crichton-Miller. The terms of the deal will see Sir Michael Lyons remain as Chairman of the new company. The acquisition, which has been completed for an undisclosed fee, was supported by HSBC UK Bank, with legal and financial advice provided by Penningtons Manches and Liberty Corporate Finance.

UK law firm Penningtons Manches offers a broad range of legal services tailored to the needs of businesses and individuals from offices in London, Basingstoke, Cambridge, Guildford, Oxford and Reading. Liberty Corporate Finance, is an independent provider of corporate finance advisory services for management teams in private equity backed transactions.

Commenting on the deal, Crichton-Miller said, “This transaction will enable the group to continue its strong growth of recent years by driving revenues through the continued expansion of our core business and the development of new markets that build on our expertise in enabling accelerated, sustainable growth in SMEs. We have a unique understanding of how to address the needs of… policy makers, funders and entrepreneurs, both to shape programmes and to deliver them for the benefit of the businesses and the economies they serve.”