Venturi founder completes MBO to drive further growth

International specialist technology staffing company, Venturi, is targeting further growth and scale-up of its operations following the completion of a vendor-initiated management buyout.

The Wilmslow-based business, which also has a well-established office in New York and a presence in Germany, was founded in 2009 by Brad Lamb with investment from respected staffing industry entrepreneur and investor Keith Jones.

Joining the founding shareholders within six months of the launch was director James Doyle.

The directors and the management team have grown the company into one of the fastest-growing technology staffing businesses in the UK.

As a result of the management buyout, Brad and the existing management team have acquired the two other directors’ shareholding, enabling James and Keith to exit the business and pursue their other interests.

Successfully placing high quality technology talent into key areas of the IT and technology sectors, including business intelligence and data, analysis and security and software development, Venturi has delivered significant growth over the past decade.

Having established a presence in the German market in 2015, and setting up its office in the US in 2017, the company has built a workforce of around 70 people and is forecast to deliver revenues in its 2020 financial year of approximately £31m with an adjusted EBITDA of around £2.2m.

Venturi is recognised in the recruitment sector for its rapid expansion having been named in the Top 50 Technology Staffing Businesses by respected industry publication, The Recruiter.

Venturi has also been named in the Recruiter Top 100, which highlights the highest growth recruitment companies in the UK, every year since 2016.

Following the management buyout, Brad and the management team aim to further scale Venturi’s operations in the UK and internationally, particularly focusing on building its support for technology clients served by its New York office and dedicated team assisting clients in Germany.

SME credit specialist Caple supported the management buyout with access to a five-year unsecured loan. Sonovate, Venturi’s existing financial provider, provided support with additional working capital.

Advising Brad and the management team on the MBO was Newcastle-based RG Corporate Finance (RGCF), led by senior manager Alex Simpson, alongside partner and head of corporate finance, Carl Swansbury.

Tax advice was provided by RG’s business tax partner Simon Whiteside with support from senior manager Charlotte Burton. Legal advice to the vendor was provided by Melanie Yeomans, of Ward Hadaway.

James Doyle’s legal advisor was Kemilia-Jean Ogunmuyiwa of Cooley, while Keith Jones was advised by Simon Wallwork of Slater Heelis.

Brad Lamb said: “This is an exciting new chapter for Venturi Ltd that will build upon the excellent international reputation we have established in the IT and technology sectors.

“James’ role in the most recent stages of growth of the business, including the opening of our New York office, together with the investment and support we have received from Keith, have been invaluable and provide us with a solid platform to scale the business even further.

“Working with Caple and Sonovate the management team is looking forward to expanding Venturi’s market share in our key markets and play a key role in the evolving international technology industry.”

Alex Simpson said: “With its highly-experienced and dynamic management team, Venturi is an exemplar of the agile and forward-thinking UK staffing businesses that have grown their presence across international markets.

“We are proud to have worked with Brad and his team and wish them well in their continued endeavours to scale Venturi’s operation in the IT and technology sectors.”

Sean Brophy, country manager at Caple, said: “Venturi is a classic example of an asset-light business with a lack of long-term financing options.

“Brad has built a successful, geographically-diverse and client-centric business with proven delivery capabilities. The business has some clear white-space to grow and now an appropriate, balanced financing mix to allow them to focus on growth rather than simply debt repayment.”