Nortants cremation firm swoops for Cheshire rival

An East Midlands cremation services firm has expanded after swooping for a north-west rival.

Time Right, which trades as Pet Cremation Services (PCS), has added Cheshire Pet Crematorium to a network of branches across the UK. The firm, based in Northamptonshire, now has 12 outlets around the country.

PCS provides localised pet cremation services to veterinary surgeries across the UK as well as to the general public.

The acquisition of Cheshire Pet Crematorium follows the purchase of Summerleaze Pet Crematorium in April 2016, and Surrey Pet Cremation in June 2015.

Time Right was advised by Black Country national audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe Clark Whitehill. The Oldbury-based firm has enjoyed a 25-year relationship with the cremation services group.

Crowe’s Midlands corporate finance team, led by partner Andy Kay, also advised on the two previous acquisitions. Legal advice was supplied by Hilary D’Cruz and Jamie Gill of law firm, Ansons.

Crowe also advised Time Right on a major private equity investment in May 2015. The investment secured from August Equity enabled the firm to continue its growth strategy. The deal saw August partner David Lonsdale join the Time Right board.

The board was further supplemented by Jo Moore, who joined as finance director.

Mr Kay said: “As long standing strategic advisers to Time Right, we advised the family on the private equity investment in 2015 that has enabled the strong growth of the business over the last two years.”

Ms D’Cruz, director and joint head of corporate and commercial law at Ansons, said: “We were delighted to continue to advise Time Right on its journey and to work alongside Andy Kay and his experienced and commercially pragmatic team.”