Consultancy sets sights on doubling its headcount with PE backing

York-headquartered employee engagement consultancy, Scarlettabbott, has secured significant investment from mid-market private equity firm LDC.

LDC is backing the existing management team at Scarlettabbott, led by chief executive Jeremy Petty, to support the company’s goal of doubling its 50-strong team – currently based across offices in York and London – within the next five years.

Law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has advised Scarlettabbott on the deal.

The consultancy specialises in helping clients better engage with their people to enhance performance and positively influence workplace culture. Its clients include Sony Interactive Entertainment, Booking.com, EY and Chivas Brothers.

The WBD team advising Scarlettabbott was led by partner Robert Phillips and solicitor Becky Brook on the acquisition side of the transaction. Partner James Cook and managing associate David Ridley led the investment side of the deal.

David Ridley

Phillips said: “We are proud to have assisted the shareholders of Scarlettabbott on such an exciting move to support their future growth plans.

“Scarlettabbott has gone from strength-to-strength in recent years, and we look forward to seeing how this new partnership with LDC will continue to fuel company’s impressive growth.”

Jeremy Petty, chief executive of Scarlettabbott, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for Scarlettabbott. We have seen significant growth in recent years through our focus on creating a better world of work for our colleagues, our clients and the industry as a whole.

“We are hugely grateful to the team at Womble Bond Dickinson for their support. They provided excellent advice throughout the process and their expertise in private equity is second to none.”