FRP Corporate Finance supports three deals across UK
FRP Advisory’s corporate finance wing has supported a trio of deals to kick off 2026. The firm helped to secure a new £30million financing agreement for legal brand Slater and Gordon; the management buyout of automotive specialist The Vella Group; and the private investment in Kerrs Tyres Group.
Slater and Gordon is headquartered in Manchester, operating nationwide through its network of 11 offices. The law firm represents individuals across a wide range of areas including personal injury, medical negligence and family law. It has now renewed its facility with Harbour Litigation Funding, a leading provider of finance to law firms, securing an improved £30 million loan agreement. This transaction extends a previous funding deal the two parties had agreed back in 2023 for a further three years.
Nils Stoesser, CEO of Slater and Gordon, said, “We’re committed to offering more people across the UK access to the necessary legal support through our market leading services, and Harbour has shown a confidence in this vision that our continued partnership will help to deliver.
FRP Corporate Finance’s Debt Advisory team, led by partner Tom Cox, director Umito Choji and analyst Freddie Guy acted as advisers to Slater and Gordon on this transaction. The team developed comprehensive briefing materials to demonstrate the business’ growth potential before then leading on negotiations with Harbour, supporting with the necessary financial documentation, and managing the process through to a positive conclusion.
Tom Cox, debt advisory partner at FRP Corporate Finance, said, “Harbour has already enjoyed a long-standing relationship with Slater and Gordon, whose team have continued to demonstrate the ambition and capability to innovate and drive the firm forward. It was great to be able to help both parties lay out the next stage of what’s been a constructive partnership, and I look forward to seeing how Slater and Gordon build with this new funding in the coming years.”
The Vella Group is one of the UK’s most trusted and respected automotive repair providers. Founded in 1986 by Karl Vella, the business currently operates across 18 centres across North Wales, the North of England and the Midlands - six of which have opened in the past 18 months - and employs over 470 people to help its customers get back on the road after an accident. The team at The Vella Group has now completed a buyout of the business with the backing of private equity firms Ama Capital and Keyhaven Capital Partners. It will continue to be led by managing director Marc Holding, and helps The Vella Group continue its site acquisition strategy across the UK.
Holding noted, “This buyout represents a major milestone for The Vella Group, and FRP Corporate Finance were instrumental in helping us get here. Their strategic insight, investor selection and hands‑on support throughout the process ensured we found partners who truly understand our ambitions. With Ama and Keyhaven behind us, we’re ready to push forward with confidence.”
FRP Corporate Finance’s Cardiff team, led by partner Thomas Edwards, manager Alex Griffiths and senior associate Twm Westcott, acted as advisers to the shareholders of The Vella Group on this deal. It prepared the marketing materials for the business while running a targeted search process to identify a suitable pool of investors. Once Ama Capital and Keyhaven Capital were chosen as the ideal partners to support the buyout, the team then led on negotiations and managed the deal through to completion.
Edwards remarked, “The Vella Group has an ambitious and capable team which has already been able to achieve impressive growth for the business in recent years, so it was no surprise that it was able to attract significant market interest from private equity investors. It was a pleasure to be able to support the team with this transaction, and I look forward to seeing how the business continues to develop under the stewardship of Marc.”
Kerrs Tyres Group is a motor services business that offers round the clock tyre services for both commercial fleets and private vehicles. Launched in 2002, the business now operates 27 autocentres across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It has now agreed to acquisition financing from private investment firm, Chiltern Capital, to support its investments. The deal will enable the existing management team in delivering the continued expansion of the business through both organic growth and complementary acquisitions of operations across the UK and Ireland.
Ben Robinson, investment director at Chiltern Capital, stated, “It’s clear to us that Kerrs has a history of delivering exceptional service, driven by a talented team, and we knew we wanted to be part of their journey. We are excited to work closely with Norman and Andy as we support them on the growth journey, leveraging our track record of successfully investing in businesses operating in the automotive aftermarket.”
FRP Corporate Finance’s Debt Advisory team, led by partner Tom Cox and associate director Rahool Patel, was appointed by Chiltern Capital to help raise financing for this investment. The team secured interest from multiple lenders before DunPort Capital Management was identified as the preferred funding partner. It was then able to negotiate a bespoke funding package including both committed and incremental acquisition facilities which will give Chiltern Capital the flexibility it needs to pursue a buy-and-build strategy with Kerrs Tyres Group.
Cox concluded, “The automotive market remains highly fragmented, and Chiltern were able to heavily lean on their experience in the sector. Chiltern rapidly identified the tyres and servicing sector as an attractive sub-segment for market consolidation through a buy-and-build strategy, with a view to expanding the platform and creating operational efficiencies as part of a wider group that will support the long-term growth strategy. Chiltern’s experience in the sector, combined with its clear plan for the future of the business, makes it an exciting partner for Kerrs Tyres and it was a pleasure to help them complete this transaction.”
