Advising on Expolink management buy-out

We advised on the successful management buy-out of Expolink, a leading global provider of contact centre and whistleblowing hotline services.

Based in Chippenham, Wiltshire, the company’s 200 seat contact centre operation serves a wide range of clients including Scotts & Co, Crew Clothing, The Entertainer, and Sutton and East Surrey Water. Expolink also provides whistleblowing hotline services to corporate, government, non-profit and blue chip clients, including 20% of FTSE 100 listed companies.

Following the buy-out, founding directors David and Jackie Crook will leave the business to take retirement. The existing management team remains unchanged with Dominic Mehta staying on as Managing Director along with Finance Director Kate Hewitt. John Wilson, who has over 15 years’ experience of the whistleblowing hotline market, has been appointed as CEO. Nick Bacon, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the private equity sector, has been appointed as Chairman.

Managing Director Dominic Mehta is looking forward to the new business opportunities presented by the change in ownership and is keen to pay tribute to the outgoing owners. He commented: “David and Jackie Crook must be commended for building Expolink into an established market leader in multiple sectors and one of the area’s largest employers. Our growth to date has been exceptional and our new premises, which we acquired last year, provide sufficient capacity to double our operational capability. The new management team is relishing the challenge of leading the company to the next level, expanding our services into new sectors and further growing the business.”

Incoming CEO John Wilson added: “I am delighted to be joining the Expolink team at this exciting time and look forward to playing a major role in helping the company to take advantage of new opportunities across every area of the business. We are already instigating ambitious growth strategies to drive further expansion and consolidate our leading position in markets around the world.”

The deal was led by Birmingham-based Corporate Partner, Simon Gill and Senior Associate Andrew Cowan.