LDC exits Connect in merger deal
HMT LLP advised LDC on their exit of portfolio company Connect Managed Services, after securing a deal that merges the contact centre technology and services group with G3 Comms.
Connect is the world’s leading Customer Experience and Unified Communications managed services provider for global businesses and supports a diverse range of blue-chip organisations across the globe. Connect supports global enterprise customers such as Johnson & Johnson, BP and Coty in the deployment and management of their unified communications and contact centre environments. The company has achieved strong growth since an LDC-backed MBO in 2014, culminating in turnover in the year to December 2018 of £30m.
G3 Comms is an established business communications and network integrator, supporting multi-site UK enterprises, often with international operations. G3’s global reach is supported by its international network providing resilient voice and data services around the world. Turnover for the year to April 2019 was in excess of £20 million and its roster of high-profile clients include Volkswagen and Morningstar.
The merger of the two businesses will create a market-leading Customer Experience (CX) and Unified Communications (UC) managed services provider, generating annual revenues in excess of £55 million. The combined group will be one of the largest firms of its kind in the UK, and is backed by Apiary Capital.
Connect’s Alex Tupman and Martin Cross, will lead the group as CEO and CTO respectively, together with G3’s James Arnold-Roberts and Adam Young, who will become group Managing Director and COO. The board will be supplemented with the appointments of industry veterans Mark Thompson as Chairman, and G3 co-founder, Tony Parrish, as non-executive director.
HMT acted as lead advisors to LDC on the transaction which included assessing the strategic options for the shareholders and management, identifying suitable investment partners, negotiating detailed investment terms, tax structuring and project managing the deal to a successful completion.
Peter Opperman, Chairman of Connect commented:
HMT did a superb job managing the exit process at a strategic and operational level. They were always available, did what they said they would do and supported all of the stakeholders in a complex transaction. My congratulations to Alex and his team for trebling the size of the company since LDC invested.”
Alex Tupman, CEO of Connect commented:
“HMT provided a fantastic service on this transaction, supporting the management team and LDC throughout the process. Their tenacity, invaluable advice and deal-making expertise were key to get the deal done. We would like to thank HMT for their hard work in helping to bring this transaction to fruition.”
Andrew Thomson commented:
“We are delighted to have advised LDC and the management team at Connect on this transaction. Since the MBO in 2014, Connect has enjoyed strong growth, and by joining forces with G3, the group has established itself as one of the global leaders in their market. We look forward to working with them again in the future.”
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