Two YFM Private Equity backed MBOs in quick succession

We have advised YFM Private Equity on two investments in quick succession: a growth-supporting equity investment in Collaborative Project Management Services Limited (CPMS) and the management buyout of Database Service Provider Global Ltd.

The MBO of DSP Database Managed Services

YFM has backed the MBO of DSP Database Managed Services.

Founded in 1999, DSP is the UK’s leading provider of Database and Data Platform Managed Services and provides support, consultancy and managed cloud services to a range of mid-market and FTSE 100 clients.

YFM Partner Charlie Robinson and investment director Ian Waterfield led the investment and the new management team, led by CEO Simon Goodenough, sees non-executive chairman, John Hawkins join the business.

Our team, led by Corporate partner Chris Reed, included senior associate Mark Metcalfe, associate Sarah Souter, solicitors Rachel Cox and Laurel Knight (Corporate), partners Paul de Vince and Rob Lucas and solicitor Charlotte Mason (Commerce, Technology & Media), partner Ben Gorner and solicitor Keeley Baker (Employment), solicitor Paul Wild (Pensions), solicitor Natasha Jones (Regulatory), associate Alexander Parkes (Real Estate), solicitor Poppy Brown (Banking & Finance) and solicitor Rebecca Wood, as well as support from the due diligence team headed by partner Andrew Cowan (Corporate).

The management team, are now looking to invest more into sales, operations and service innovation to further grow all areas of the business.

The MBO of CPMS

Following the MBO of DSP Database Managed Services, YFM has made an investment in CPMS.

CPMS provide a range of services including programme management, commercial management, safety assurance and environment, enterprise asset management, engineering and construction and design.

The business was founded in 2012 by Matthew Baine, Damien Gent, Chris Mackie and Tim Galvini who will all remain with the company following the deal and will continue to be the largest shareholders. The team will now be joined by non-executive chairman, Andrew Smith, who has spent his executive career in large scale infrastructure and transport roles.

Our team, led by Corporate partner Chris Reed, included associate Sarah Souter, solicitors Rachel Cox and Laurel Knight (Corporate), partner James Gopsill and solicitor Passionate Munyengeterwa (Tax) and Kate Fellows (Employment), as well as support from the due diligence team.

The funding from YFM will enable CPMS to continue its growth by extending its service offering to incorporate more onsite works, and transfer their skills from rail into other sectors such as highways and water.

Corporate partner Chris Reed who led on both deals said: “This is the fourth deal we have advised YFM on this year and DSP and CPMS are the sixth and seventh investments from YFM’s Buyout Fund, since its final close in April 2017. The deals will no doubt enable both businesses to further develop over the coming years and I wish them all the best for the future.”