Private equity-backed risk and compliance firm snaps up Welsh business

Ross-on-Wye-based HSL Compliance, part of the SGI group, has bought Welsh firm Albanyoak.

Based in Llanelli, Albanyoak is an independent water and Effluent treatment specialist, with accreditation from SGS.

HSL Compliance is a UK risk and compliance leader, specialising in water, hazardous materials, fire safety and associated health, safety and environmental services. It is part of SGI Compliance group (SGI) which is backed by mid-market private equity firm LDC.

Gavin Hartley, managing director, HSL Compliance, said: “Combining Albanyoak services with our own is a fantastic opportunity for both businesses. We quickly recognised that the values and culture of Albanyoak were reflective of our own as well as strategically allowing us to enter into new markets. We are very excited about the future of both businesses.”

Craig Quinnell, managing director at Albanyoak, added: “We are looking forward to our future with HSL Compliance. We have taken our westWales-based business from a local business to a national one while maintaining the same standards of service. We now feel the time is right to align ourselves with a major player in water treatment with businesses across Europe. It’s going to be exciting to help grow the HSL brand with our focus remaining on effluent treatment with the same local service we have always provided.”

LDC has provided follow-on funding to support the acquisition. LDC first invested £20m to back the carve out of SGI from global testing, inspection and certification group Kiwa, in May 2019.

LDC’s Jonathan Bell said: “An acquisitive growth strategy can help firms build scale and resilience, and expand their breadth of services. By seizing this latest opportunity, SGI has bolstered its reach as compliance with environmental regulation becomes an even more pressing issue for businesses.”