DTE Corporate Finance Advises RJ Urmson Group on Sale to HSL Compliance

DTE Corporate Finance has successfully advised the shareholders of RJ Urmson Group on the sale of their business to HSL Compliance.

The Urmson Group is a fire and air ventilation compliance specialist which will complement HSL’s water compliance business as it moves to broaden the range of services provided to its customers. HSL Compliance is a leading player in the UK’s compliance market, helping customers to comply with relevant legislation and create safe environments for people to live and work.

The Urmson Group, founded in 1992 by Robert & Louise Urmson, provides ventilation, validation, commissioning, water treatment and passive fire services to clients across the UK from its HQ in Chorley, Lancashire.

DTE Corporate Finance, part of top 50 accountancy group DJH, undertook an extensive marketing process and, after discussions with several interested parties, the decision was taken to proceed with HSL.

Robert Urmson, Managing Director of RJ Urmson, said: “Its brilliant to mark our 32nd year by joining forces with the team at HSL Compliance. Our combined knowledge and capabilities will benefit our Urmson clients, many of whom have been with us since the beginning, as well as providing great opportunities to our dedicated employees.

“Jon and Lewis did a fantastic job in finding the right buyer for our family business. Once they had negotiated the offer from HSL they made sure that the deal progressed through to a successful conclusion.”

Following the acquisition, Robert, alongside his daughter, Christina Urmson, will continue to lead the running of the Urmson Group and the company will continue to operate under its existing branding.

Gavin Hartley, Chief Executive of HSL Compliance, added: “Rob and the team have built a market-leading operation with services that complement our own. They are the perfect partner to support our continued mission to be the number one Health and Safety Compliance provider in the UK.”

RJ Urmson Group was advised by Jon Else, Corporate Finance Director, Lewis Pearson, Corporate Finance Associate Director, and Ben Fallows, Corporate Finance Executive, with legal support provided by Simon Wallwork and Mark Warburton of Slater Heelis.

The deal team at HSL Compliance was led by Tom Taylor and Gavin Hartley with external financial due diligence support from Ross Wiggins of Menzies (London), and legal support from Arpinder Dhillon of Harrison Clark Rickerby (Ross-on-Wye).