Takeover deal expands Stockport environmental consultancy’s influence

Peter Barkley

Stockpot environmental consultancy APEM has made its second acquisition in seven months.

The Westbridge-backed business has acquired Galway-based AQUAFACT, a specialist marine survey business, for an undisclosed sum.

Last July the fast-expanding business added environmental and sustainability consultancy, Woodrow, to its portfolio.

Following the latest deal the APEM Group now employs more than 300 staff.

It underwent a management buyout in March 2019, supported by Westbridge, and offers digital aerial wildlife surveys linked to the marine, freshwater, terrestrial and geospatial fields.

Manchester dealmaker Peter Barkley, a director at WestBridge, said: “APEM has performed extremely well since our investment.

“Strong organic growth has created a solid platform to support such acquisitions, which are central to our strategy.

“AQUAFACT has an excellent reputation and the services it provides are a perfect augmentation of the rapidly growing APEM Group.”

APEM CEO, Dr Adrian Williams, said: “There has never been a more exciting time to work in environmental consultancy.

“Bringing AQUAFACT into the APEM Group enables us to provide a wider range of services to more clients. It also gives us a stronger foothold in Ireland where there is a burgeoning offshore wind market.”

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