Maritime deal marks fifth in two years for expansive APEM
Stockport headquartered APEM Group has acquired NASH Maritime, a specialist shipping, navigation and maritime risk consultancy.
This deal marks private equity backed APEM’s fifth acquisition in the last two years and bolsters the company’s offering to the global offshore wind and maritime infrastructure sectors.
The environmental consultancy provides advice in the water, renewables, power and utilities, marine and ports, transport, construction and development sectors.
This deal is significant move into the shipping sector. NASH Maritime will be able to offer its customers shipping and navigation capabilities by drawing on the wider APEM Group.
Leah McGimpsey
APEM Group CEO Leah McGimpsey commented: “NASH Maritime will be a significant addition to the Group, bringing maritime expertise, cutting-edge technology solutions and a global footprint, while broadening the markets and clients we serve. This latest acquisition delivers on our stated strategy of organic growth, international expansion and strategic acquisitions. By bringing NASH Maritime and the APEM Group together, we are continuing to deliver on our mission to provide ecological and technological solutions to decision makers around the globe, partnering with them to achieve environmental and social outcomes that matter.”
Since receiving private equity investment from WestBridge in 2019, APEM has seen its revenue grow from £10m to a forecast c.£60m in the current financial year, employing 600 people across five divisions.
Alistair Davison, managing director of APEM’s Marine and Consents division, added: “The offshore wind and maritime infrastructure sectors are a key driver of future growth for APEM Group. As these sectors develop at a rapid pace, the acquisition of NASH Maritime deepens our capabilities across the globe and positions us to capitalise on that growth.”
Jamie Holmes, director and co-founder of NASH Maritime, said: “We‘ve known and worked alongside APEM Group on some significant projects over the years in offshore renewables and have always been impressed with their reputation for delivering deep scientific rigour in consultancy and technology solutions. NASH Maritime was founded in recognition of the complexity of managing shipping, navigation and maritime risk with maritime infrastructure and, in particular, the challenges around co-existence with the renewables industry. APEM’s backing enables us to take the business to the next level, expand our services globally and further invest in the development of our innovative technology software and product solutions.”
The continued investment in strategic acquisitions is validation of the growth strategy being pursued by APEM since a management buy-out backed by private equity firm WestBridge.
Peter Barkley, partner at private equity backer WestBridge, said: “Alongside our continued organic growth, acquisitions remain core to our strategy. We will continue to seek to add quality focussed, culturally aligned businesses that bring complementary services to customers of the APEM Group, having completed two such acquisitions already this year.”
