Leading Resolutions embarks on next growth phase with investor
Leading Resolutions has brought in an investor to help the company embark on its next phase of growth.
Technology and business consultancy Leading Resolutions was founded in 2001, and currently has 110 staff working from offices in Royal Wootton Bassett and London.
As the firm looks to expand its offering of strategic, technical and project delivery services to clients further afield, the company is looking to expand its footprint in the coming years. To achieve that, Leading Resolutions has secured new investment from a successful management buyout, backed by NVM Private Equity.
“This investment fires the starting pistol on the next stage of our development, building on the successful growth we’ve already achieved post pandemic,” said Pete Smyth, CEO of Leading Resolutions.
“This funding means we can speed up our client-focused plans… We’re a people-focused business, helping our blue-chip clients to deliver complex digital transformation programmes, working with talented individuals to maximise return on investment.”
Investor NVM Private Equity is a well-known player in the business services landscape. The financial sponsor currently also has stakes in Arnlea (mobile technology solutions for the oil & gas industry), Edit (marketing & data specialist), and Intuitive (software provider to the travel industry).
Since its inception over 35 years ago, NVM Private Equity has backed more than 300 firms, with total funds under management currently at £164 million.
Following the investment, Leading Resolutions will continue to operate as it does now, with the existing senior leadership team providing continuity.
The firm’s board will comprise of Pete Smyth, who will assume the role of CEO, alongside COO Sheila Bryant, Director of Business Development Paul Crowe, and consulting directors Jon Bance and Rob Chapman.
New to the board are NVM partners David Rolfe and Charlie Pidgeon will join the company’s board, alongside Geoff Neville as non-executive chair. They will each work to enhance Leading Resolutions’ organisational capability, according to a statement from the firms.
Leading Resolutions was recently named one of the UK's leading consultancies by Consultancy.org, among others in the categories for IT Strategy and Project Management.
The deal continues a run of private equity investments in UK-based management consultancies. Last week, data science consultancy JMAN roped in fresh capital from Baird Capital, while healthcare consultancy Lexica secured growth funding from Elevate Private Equity.
Dealmakers
The transaction was advised on by M&A experts from several professional services firms.
Corporate finance advisory services were provided by Equiteq (NVM Private Equity) and Watersheds (Leading Resolutions). Due diligence services were delivered by Crowe (financial due diligence), Armstrong (commercial due diligence), Continuum (management due diligence), and Lockton (insurance due diligence).
Gateley, HCR, and Gardner Leader were tapped for legal M&A support services.
