ACS Group
Home Contact Us Home-version 2 Service page About Us Office Location Post template Home Contact Us Home-version 2 Service page About Us Office Location Post template Strategic review & business sale IT, Strategic review & business sale April 2019 ACS Group was launched in 1999 as IT specialists for small businesses and educational establishments in South Yorkshire. The company was founded by two brothers, Mike and Kevin McEwen in Doncaster, on the back of a £5,000 loan from the Halifax Building Society. Today, they are the proud owners of a thriving local business with over 250 customers and a retention rate of over 95% – an envious target for any business providing IT support. The challenge Like many successful business owners, the McEwen brothers always kept a weather eye on the mergers and acquisitions market. When they were approached by Evolution Capital in 2016, the brothers decided the time was right to prepare ACS for a potential sale. Mike McEwen, co-owner of ACS Group, said: “Whilst we were very comfortable with the growth of our business and what we needed to do to continue our success, we were not quite so sure about presenting ACS Group to the outside world. After a couple of meetings with Evolution Capital, it became very clear that we required some high-level expertise. The team was very knowledgeable and provided us with invaluable advice.” Advice, planning and preparation Evolution Capital kick-started the process with a full strategic review. The exercise culminated in the delivery of a 30-page document providing a detailed appraisal of the business, current valuation and importantly the necessary recommendations for ACS Group to achieve its optimum outcome. The review was conducted over a six month period and involved a multi-disciplined approach. During this time Evolution Capital provided experts to address many of the different challenges that ACS Group needed to tackle, in order to become an attractive proposition for an acquirer. Particular focus was given to the company’s transactions, operations and financial processes. Detailed analysis and recommendations were then provided in each area, including: Making customer contracts more valuable Removing all unnecessary costs Streamlining the operations Ensuring that a proper structure was in place to the benefit of any future acquirer. Mike McEwen continued: “The team at Evolution Capital took us out of our comfort zone and questioned our existing processes and methodologies. It highlighted what we needed to do to exit the business at the right price.” Unlocking hidden value Following the review, ACS Group set about implementing Evolution Capital’s specific recommendations in a number of areas including cost management, team restructuring and sales process. This soon produced some very tangible benefits: An increased focus on new business created additional value Existing clients were re-signed on long-term contracts enhancing the predictability of sales forecasts Reorganising the company’s assets resulted in an increased EBITDA Removing unnecessary support and infrastructure costs gave the company a higher valuation multiple. Kevin McEwen added: “The impact was dramatic. We thought we had a robust sales process but after we implemented the recommendations our sales force went from 12 to six people. Yet, the smaller team generated much more revenue. The result was that we accelerated our bottom line profit significantly.” A successful outcome All the recommendations in the strategic review were implemented, successfully enabling ACS to pursue its desired exit strategy of a trade sale at a much-improved valuation than had originally been expected. A detailed Investment Memorandum was prepared by Evolution Capital and suitable buyers were approached. Mike McEwen said: “We are absolutely delighted with the results of our partnership with Evolution Capital. Not only has the team proved its comprehensive knowledge of our marketplace but its expertise, demonstrated in guiding us toward our goals, has been exemplary. Its proposals and advice have been exactly what we needed.” More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Latest Posts Case Studies ACS Group Business Sale Glemnet Business Sale Centrix Categories Acquired Acquisition Analytic Services Business Acquisition Business Aquired Business Sale Business Valuation and Research Buy-Side Buyside M&A Case Studies Disposal Financial Due Diligence Fund raising and listing Fundraising and M&A advice ICT IT IT Managed Services IT MSP M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme Managed Services MBO Management Buyout Media Merger Multiple R&D Tax Claims Sell-Side Sell-side M&A Advice Software Strategic review & business sale Strategic Review & partial sale Technology Telecoms Unified Comms Valuation and fundraising Social Media Our Blog Related Case Studies View all Case Studies, Strategic review & business sale ACS Group December 2, 2025 Acquisition, Case Studies, Managed Services Callagenix December 2, 2025 Acquisition, Case Studies, Managed Services Callagenix December 2, 2025 Acquisition, Case Studies, Managed Services Callagenix December 2, 2025 Business Sale, Case Studies, Unified Comms Glemnet December 2, 2025 Request a Confidential Consultation Discover Your Business Value Start with a strategic assessment to understand your maximum potential valuation in the current market. Contact us now Company About Us Blogs Our Location Careers Our Services About Us Sell Side Buy Side Data Work Resources Faq Client Dashboard Support Our Location Contact Us (020) 3696 2810 Info@evolutioncapital.com 68 King William Street, London, EC4N 7HR The Granary, Oak Lane, Chichester, PO20 7FD Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter
Centrix
Home Contact Us Home-version 2 Service page About Us Office Location Post template Home Contact Us Home-version 2 Service page About Us Office Location Post template Business Sale Business Sale, IT, Telecoms 2015 Acquired Acquisition Analytic Services Business Acquisition Business Aquired Business Sale Business Valuation and Research Buy-Side Buyside M&A Case Studies Disposal Financial Due Diligence Fund raising and listing Fundraising and M&A advice ICT IT IT Managed Services IT MSP M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme Managed Services MBO Management Buyout Media Merger Multiple R&D Tax Claims Sell-Side Sell-side M&A Advice Software Strategic Review & partial sale Technology Telecoms Valuation and fundraising Background Centrix, based in Hampshire, is a specialist provider of complex unified communications, Avaya IP telephony, hosted IP solutions and managed services. Advice, Planning and Preparation Evolution Capital were delighted to have made introduced and guided the transaction process for the shareholders of Centrix, in the sale of the business to AdEPT. Evolution Capital has acted as exclusive corporate finance advisors in the acquisition of Centrix Limited. Completed on 1st May 2015, AdEPT have acquired the entire issued share capital of Centrix Limited, a UK based specialist provider of complex unified communications,Avaya IP telephony, hosted IP solutions and managed services. The deal is structured with an initial consideration of £7 million plus the adjusted cash balance of Centrix, payable in cash at completion. Further deferred variable consideration of up to £3.5 million is payable in cash dependent upon the trading performance of Centrix in the 12 months post-acquisition. A successful outcome “Evolution Capital’s sector knowledge was vital to finding the right partner for AdEPT. Evolution Capital’s transaction and industry experience added value throughout the acquisition process and their commitment helped us to achieve our overall goals and shareholder objectives,”said Mr Ian Fishwick, CEO of AdEPT. “We are pleased to have used our significant experience in the telecoms sector to play a part in this exciting transaction,” said Nigel Cook, Managing Director, Evolution Capital. More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Latest Posts Business Sale Centrix Case Studies Nine Group Acquisition XLN Categories Acquired Acquisition Analytic Services Business Acquisition Business Aquired Business Sale Business Valuation and Research Buy-Side Buyside M&A Case Studies Disposal Financial Due Diligence Fund raising and listing Fundraising and M&A advice ICT IT IT Managed Services IT MSP M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme Managed Services MBO Management Buyout Media Merger Multiple R&D Tax Claims Sell-Side Sell-side M&A Advice Software Strategic Review & partial sale Technology Telecoms Valuation and fundraising Social Media Our Blog Related Case Studies View all Business Sale, Case Studies, Telecoms Centrix December 2, 2025 Case Studies, M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme, Telecoms Nine Group December 2, 2025 Acquisition, Case Studies, Telecoms XLN December 2, 2025 Business Sale, Case Studies, ICT ACR December 2, 2025 Business Aquired, Case Studies, Telecoms Shift7 December 2, 2025 Request a Confidential Consultation Discover Your Business Value Start with a strategic assessment to understand your maximum potential valuation in the current market. Contact us now Company About Us Blogs Our Location Careers Our Services About Us Sell Side Buy Side Data Work Resources Faq Client Dashboard Support Our Location Contact Us (020) 3696 2810 Info@evolutioncapital.com 68 King William Street, London, EC4N 7HR The Granary, Oak Lane, Chichester, PO20 7FD Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter
Nine Group
Home Contact Us Home-version 2 Service page About Us Office Location Post template Home Contact Us Home-version 2 Service page About Us Office Location Post template M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme IT, M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme, Telecoms 2005 Acquired Acquisition Analytic Services Business Acquisition Business Aquired Business Sale Business Valuation and Research Buy-Side Buyside M&A Case Studies Disposal Financial Due Diligence Fund raising and listing Fundraising and M&A advice ICT IT IT Managed Services IT MSP M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme Managed Services MBO Management Buyout Media Merger Multiple R&D Tax Claims Sell-Side Sell-side M&A Advice Software Strategic Review & partial sale Technology Telecoms Valuation and fundraising The background Evolution Capital were delighted to be selected by Nine Group, formerly known as Nine Telecom, to advise the shareholders and management team through a value enhancing programme of business acquisitions, to see the company evolve into a wholesale company. The challenge Working closely with shareholders and building trusting relationships with business owners is never easy. Due to our longstanding network in the sector, combined with our extensive knowledge of the sector and transaction know-how, Evolution Capital work hard to create seamless synergies for our acquirers, and our strategic review Advice, planning and preparation Our first deal within the sector, Nine Telecom not only engaged with Evolution Capital to provide the essential advice and guidance to guide the management team through a successful series of acquisitions, Grahame Purvis,Co-Founder and Chairman of Evolution Capital, worked closely with the management team at Nine to ensure the seamless integration of the businesses acquired alongside management advice delivered to the shareholders. Grahame Purvis, with the Evolution Capital team, then led the business through 12 acquisitions,to include Dataflow, Shipton Communications, and Club Communications, to name a few. Our advice and acquisitions made on behalf of the shareholders of Nine resulted in the increase of the business value, leading to the eventual sale of the company to Onecom. A successful outcome Evolution Capital were honoured to have been chosen by Nine Group to assist their team on their acquisitive trail and journey to value growth for the business. More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Latest Posts Case Studies Nine Group Acquisition XLN Business Sale ACR Categories Acquired Acquisition Analytic Services Business Acquisition Business Aquired Business Sale Business Valuation and Research Buy-Side Buyside M&A Case Studies Disposal Financial Due Diligence Fund raising and listing Fundraising and M&A advice ICT IT IT Managed Services IT MSP M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme Managed Services MBO Management Buyout Media Merger Multiple R&D Tax Claims Sell-Side Sell-side M&A Advice Software Strategic Review & partial sale Technology Telecoms Valuation and fundraising Social Media Our Blog Related Case Studies View all Case Studies, M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme, Telecoms Nine Group December 2, 2025 Acquisition, Case Studies, Telecoms XLN December 2, 2025 Business Sale, Case Studies, ICT ACR December 2, 2025 Business Aquired, Case Studies, Telecoms Shift7 December 2, 2025 Acquisition, Case Studies, Managed Services Callagenix December 2, 2025 Request a Confidential Consultation Discover Your Business Value Start with a strategic assessment to understand your maximum potential valuation in the current market. Contact us now Company About Us Blogs Our Location Careers Our Services About Us Sell Side Buy Side Data Work Resources Faq Client Dashboard Support Our Location Contact Us (020) 3696 2810 Info@evolutioncapital.com 68 King William Street, London, EC4N 7HR The Granary, Oak Lane, Chichester, PO20 7FD Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter
Lanway
Home Contact Us Home-version 2 Service page About Us Office Location Post template Home Contact Us Home-version 2 Service page About Us Office Location Post template Disposal Disposal, IT May 2016 Acquisition Analytic Services Business Acquisition Business Aquired Business Sale Business Valuation and Research Buy-Side Buyside M&A Case Studies Disposal Financial Due Diligence Fundraising and M&A advice IT IT Managed Services IT MSP M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme Media Merger Multiple R&D Tax Claims Sell-Side Sell-side M&A Advice Technology Telecoms Background Lanway success in Chess move – Managing an efficient and profitable disposalLanway, an established £23m turnover, end-to-end IT solutions business, was sold to the Chess Group in May 2016. Having run Lanway since 1990, by mid-2015, the owners were ready to take advice on their exit strategy. With a specialist focus on the IT and telecoms sectors, comprehensive market knowledge and an excellent reputation, Evolution Capital brought exactly the skills the vendors needed to help maximise value from the sale of their business. Effective planning and preparationEvolution Capital’s unique approach started with a Strategic Review to ensure it comprehensively understood the business as well as the owners’ requirements right from the start. The review provided: Comprehensive advice on exit and value maximisation strategyGuidance on effectively removing any potential transaction issuesRealistic business valuationsFoundation for a formal sales process and the target market landscape.Lanway’s owners then made an informed decision to commence a sales process. Formal sale processEvolution Capital professionally prepared an anonymous teaser and a detailed Information Memorandum (“IM”), which helped to optimally present the opportunity to potential acquirers. This allowed prospective buyers to develop a clear and insightful view of Lanway and identify the possibility of creating additional value in their own businesses. Maximising value and finding the right buyer Evolution Capital’s comprehensive knowledge of the sector, extensive research capability and in-depth understanding of Lanway enabled it to identify a focused list of appropriate prospective buyers. The interest from numerous qualified potential acquirers led to a programme of meetings, followed by a review of numerous indicative offers. The competitive environment allowed the owners to drive up value and, eventually, move forward with a buyer that most suited their requirements. Evolution Capital fielded a team of the most appropriate professionals, including dealmakers, transaction specialists and solicitors in order to get the sale concluded on satisfactory terms. Evolution Capital fully managed the process and carried out the negotiations, allowing the vendors to continue with their daily tasks without distraction. About LanwayLanway was established in 1990 and is involved in business to business supply, installation and maintenance of end-to-end IT infrastructure and solutions, including managed services. SuccessThe transaction was successful and Lanway had completed its Chess move. The vendors have now moved on and, as well as appearing at Evolution Capital sector events and recommending the firm to their industry peers, are now focused on repeating the Lanway success with other non-competing business interests. Vernon Yerkess, Director, Lanway We could not have achieved this level of success without Evolution Capital. Their team was excellent throughout our 9-month engagement with them. From start to finish, they expertly dealt with everything. As a professional advisory firm focused on realising maximum value, they certainly delivered and I would highly recommend their unique approach and extremely experienced and capable team. More than 2 results are available in the PRO version (This notice is only visible to admin users) Latest Posts Case Studies Lanway Business Sale Pipemedia Acquisition Comms Group Categories Acquisition Analytic Services Business Acquisition Business Aquired Business Sale Business Valuation and Research Buy-Side Buyside M&A Case Studies Disposal Financial Due Diligence Fundraising and M&A advice IT IT Managed Services IT MSP M&A Managed Buy and Build Programme Media Merger Multiple R&D Tax Claims Sell-Side Sell-side M&A Advice Technology Telecoms Social Media Our Blog Related Case Studies View all Case Studies, Disposal, IT Lanway December 2, 2025 Business Sale, Case Studies, Telecoms Pipemedia December 2, 2025 Acquisition, Case Studies, Telecoms Comms Group December 2, 2025 Business Sale, Case Studies, Technology Caladan December 2, 2025 Business Valuation and Research, Case Studies, Telecoms Lixxus Communications Ltd December 2, 2025 Request a Confidential Consultation Discover Your Business Value Start with a strategic assessment to understand your maximum potential valuation in the current market. Contact us now Company About Us Blogs Our Location Careers Our Services About Us Sell Side Buy Side Data Work Resources Faq Client Dashboard Support Our Location Contact Us (020) 3696 2810 Info@evolutioncapital.com 68 King William Street, London, EC4N 7HR The Granary, Oak Lane, Chichester, PO20 7FD Subscribe Subscribe to our newsletter