Nottingham firm acquires ecological consultancy to strengthen sector offering

Browne Jacobson has advised Phenna Group on its acquisition of NLG Ecology, a specialist ecological consultancy.

Based in Nottingham, Phenna Group is a provider of testing, inspection, certification, and compliance services.

This acquisition marks Phenna Group’s third venture into the ecological sector, following previous acquisitions of Ecology Solutions and RammSanderson.

NLG Ecology, founded in Cheshire in 2018, offers a range of ecological survey services, including Preliminary Ecological Assessments, Protected and Notable Species Survey, Ecological Impact Assessment, and Protected Species Licence Applications.

NLG will collaborate closely with Ecology Solutions and RammSanderson under Phenna Group’s umbrella.

Browne Jacobson’s team, led by partner Matt Bolton and associate Jack Milnthorpe, along with senior associates Maz Dannourah and Christian Burchardt and trainee solicitor Abigail Stokes, provided legal counsel to Phenna Group during this transaction.

Additionally, a multidisciplinary team conducted legal due diligence for Phenna Group.

Paul Barry, chairman of Phenna Group, said: “I am delighted that Neil and his team have decided to join Phenna Group and warmly welcome them to our team.  In Ecology Solutions and Ramm Sanderson we already have a strong presence in the sector, adding the capabilities of NLG Ecology is highly complementary and boosts our offerings, extends our geographic presence and augments our Infrastructure platform.  I look forward to working with Neil, Oli and their teams to deliver their ambitious growth plans.”

Matt Bolton, partner at Browne Jacobson, said: “We’re proud to have supported Phenna Group on its strategic acquisition of NLG Ecology, its third acquisition in the ecological sector and fourth of 2024. This deal further enhances the Group’s strong testing, inspection, certification and compliance offering in the ecological sector.”