CCS Group Limited

Smith & Williamson advises specialist rail industry services provider CCS Group on its transfer of ownership to an Employee Ownership Trust (“EOT”).

CCS Group Limited (“CCS Group”) is a leading multi-disciplinary managed support services provider to the rail industry. Its customers require safety critical services in order to ensure the rail network continues to operate safely and reliably. It offers a comprehensive range of services including track maintenance and renewals, facilities management, critical resource training, construction and civil engineering, and welding to London Underground Limited, Transport for London, Docklands Light Railway and Network Rail, all of whom CCS Group is a Tier 1 contractor to.

Since being founded in 1992, CCS Group has had a strong emphasis on employee culture. The shareholders have transferred 100% of the business to an EOT, securing the long-term future of the Group and enabling their staff to benefit in the future growth. CCS Group will now be under the leadership of the new management team, with Andy Redican and Michelle Lamb joining Michael Hesnan on the Board of Directors.

Smith & Williamson worked with the exiting shareholders and the new management team to deliver a successful transfer to employee ownership. Brian Livingston, Head of M&A for Smith & Williamson, led the transaction supported by Stuart Goodman and Joseph Sherry in Corporate Finance and John Manis and Oliver Dewdney in Business Tax.

Simon Miesegaes, CCS Group, said “This structure enables the business to continue as usual, focusing on growth and our employees. We decided to work with the Smith & Williamson team because of their proven experience with EOT transactions and advising owner-managed businesses. The support the team provided throughout this transaction was crucial in ensuring a successful outcome was achieved”.

Brian Livingston, Head of M&A for Smith & Williamson, said “This is yet another EOT transaction the Smith and Williamson has completed, reinforcing our position as one of the leading advisors in this space for owner-managed businesses. We hope that under employee ownership, the Group will continue to achieve strong growth under the stewardship of the new management team”.

For further information please contact:

Brian Livingston
Managing Director
T: 020 7131 4914
E: brian.livingston@smithandwilliamson.com

Stuart Goodman
Director
T: 020 7131 4999
E: stuart.goodman@smithandwilliamson.com

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Disclaimer
By necessity, this briefing can only provide a short overview and it is essential to seek professional advice before applying the contents of this article. No responsibility can be taken for any loss arising from action taken or refrained from on the basis of this publication. Details correct at time of writing.

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Smith & Williamson is an independently owned professional and financial services group with over 1,700 people. The group is a leading provider of investment management, financial advisory and accountancy services to private clients, professional practices and mid-to-large corporates. The group has eleven offices; these are in London, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Dublin (City and Sandyford), Glasgow, Guildford, Jersey, Salisbury and Southampton.

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