Hungry green consultancy makes sixth acquisition in private equity backed buy and build
Environmental consultancy group APEM Group has made its sixth acquisition with the purchase of Aspect Ecology, an ecological planning consultancy based in Oxfordshire.
Backed by private equity WestBridge, and on a spree of acquisitions since 2021, the Stockport-headquartered group now has a headcount of over 600 and this deal adds an additional 40+ ecologists to the company’s terrestrial ecology team.
The amount they have paid for Aspect hasn’t been disclosed.
Aspect supports property developers with a full range of consultancy services from pre-purchase site acquisition through to planning applications and appeals, to post planning and implementation of necessary mitigation works.
Leah McGimpsey, APEM Group chief executive, said: “Aspect Ecology bring deep expertise in terrestrial ecology to the Group, building on our existing market-leading capabilities and significantly increasing our strength and depth. This acquisition provides substantial opportunity to continue our expansion into the infrastructure and built environment market.
“As the need for clean infrastructure increases, Aspect’s knowledge and work with clients in assessing the biodiversity of a developer’s plans and how to deliver Biodiversity Net Gain solutions, will be of real value to APEM’s own clients.”
Alistair Baxter, co-founder and senior director at Aspect Ecology commented: “Being part of the APEM Group will provide great opportunities for the Aspect Ecology team and allows us to take forward our current operations with the added support of the Group infrastructure. APEM’S culture of high quality work mirrors that of Aspect Ecology’s so that our approaches are fully aligned.
“Joining forces with APEM will enable us to access new markets and offer additional services to our clients as well as more rapidly develop our technological capabilities aided by APEM’s market leading position.”
Peter Barkley, partner at WestBridge, said: “APEM Group continues to go from strength to strength both domestically and internationally. This new acquisition of Aspect Ecology builds on existing capabilities in terrestrial ecology, broadens the service offering and further enhances APEM’s reputation in the environmental consulting marketplace.
“The APEM Group Leadership Team continue to add culturally aligned businesses to the Group via its strategic acquisition strategy, while delivering value adding services to clients.”
APEM’s acquisition history includes the July 2021 purchase of Sligo-based Woodrow, an environmental and sustainability consultancy, followed in February 2022 by the acquisition of AQUAFACT, a specialist in marine surveys, based in Galway, Ireland. In May 2022, APEM acquired GoBe Consultants, a planning and environmental services consultancy based in Devon and Glasgow, followed by the acquisition in June 2023 of Macro Works, a Dublin based provider of landscape and visual consultancy services, and NASH Maritime, a leading shipping, navigation and maritime risk consultancy based in Southampton, in July 2023.
Aspect Ecology works with developers at pre- purchase site acquisition stage through planning and appeals, to post planning on the ground implementation of mitigation works, including ecological licensing for protected species.
APEM were advised by Dow Schofield Watts, with Ross Thomas and Gregg Pendlington providing corporate finance advice and Sophie Colloby and Jonathan Steed providing financial due diligence. Capital Law provided legal advice to APEM, while CIL provided commercial due diligence and BDO tax advice.
