Tree survey specialist bought by Inflexion-backed buy-and-build
Chester-based tree survey specialist Arbtech has been acquired by Celnor group, a buy-and-build compliance services business backed by private equity investor Inflexion.
Arbtech becomes 18th member company to join Celnor which was formed in 2023, pulling together complementary businesses offering a broad range of inspection, testing, certification, and compliance (TICC) services to commercial clients across the UK.
Environmental consultancies continue to be hot property, with investors keen to have ESG compliant businesses in their investment portfolios, as well as the demand for popular consulting service lines.
Reading-based Celnor is openly seeking new acquisitions in the UK, Europe or North America with annual profits between £250,000 and £10 million that work in testing, analysis, certification, or compliance related services.
In November 2023 TheBusinessDesk.com reported that Celnor had acquired consultancy Brownfield Solutions in Cheshire, and in January 2024 moved to purchase APEC, also in the city of Chester.
Founded in 2005, Arbtech’s team of over 100 arboriculturists and ecologists provide tree surveys, biodiversity surveys, bat surveys and more.
Its recent clients include a preliminary bat survey for planning permission in Stockport, close to Mersey Vale Nature Park and was commissioned by Wirral Council to carry out a Preliminary Ecological Appraisal (PEA) including Roost Assessment (PRA) for a project in Birkenhead town centre.
Arbtech’s CEO Robert Oates described the deal as an “unparalleled opportunity for our people, as we look forward to this next phase in our journey.”
Simon Parrington, Celnor founder and Group CEO, added, “Their impressive growth and entrepreneurial approach to business is a fantastic fit for the Group. Arbtech has built an excellent reputation in the industry, not only for the great service they provide clients, but for their innovative approach to company culture too.”
He continued: “As soon as I met Rob, I could see a great fit for our businesses to work together, we look forward to investing in Arbtech’s exciting growth plans whilst providing many of our 4,500 customers with a more complete service offering.”
Arbtech were advised by Endeavour Partnership led by Nik Tunley and KPMG Corporate Finance led by Rick Stark and Alex Cary.
Rick Stark, Corporate Finance Partner at KPMG in Manchester said: “Arbtech provides mission critical, timely environmental services which are unblocking challenges facing the UK housing market. This includes a Biodioversity Net Gain proposition which has grown significantly on the back of the newly mandatory regulatory requirements. This deal is another example of the current demand for businesses which can demonstrate themselves as platforms in fragmented and emerging markets.”
Celnor were advised by RSM led by Mark Leyland, Addleshaw Goddard led by Dan Rathbone and CIL led by Laurence Ludgate.
