Acquisitions in Surrey, United Kingdom

Nicoya Lifesciences, Inc. acquired UK-based Applied Photophysics, a provider of biophysical characterization instrumentation, to expand its integrated biologics characterization platform. Applied Photophysics will operate as part of Nicoya, with its Leatherhead, Surrey headquarters becoming Nicoya’s European operational hub. The transaction was financed by Nicoya’s existing investor syndicate led by Graphite Ventures, alongside debt partner SWK Holdings Corporation and additional participating investors.

HAKI Safety has signed and finalized the acquisition of Semmco Group, a privately owned UK-based manufacturer and supplier of aircraft and train maintenance access platforms, steps, and docking systems. The deal expands HAKI Safety’s product range in work zone safety and increases its exposure to the aviation and rail sectors and additional geographies. Semmco is headquartered in Woking, Surrey, England, and the transaction includes an earn-out component with a maximum purchase price of GBP 8.5 million.

LDC-backed managed internet service provider Wifinity acquired Next Connex, a Surrey-based UK network connectivity provider specializing in WAN, SD-WAN and infrastructure-as-a-service. The deal strengthens Wifinity’s technical and product capabilities within its Enterprise division and follows Wifinity’s earlier 2023 acquisition of Vital WiFi.

FluidOne, a UK provider of Connected Cloud solutions, acquired Surrey-based IT managed service provider project five to expand its regional branch network and strengthen its SME-focused managed services offering. The deal adds Camberley-headquartered project five to FluidOne’s Business IT Centre of Excellence led from Highlander Computing Solutions’ Sheffield headquarters, with project five founder Steve Coburn staying involved as a board consultant.

Kocho, a UK-based provider of cyber security, identity, cloud transformation and managed services, acquired Surrey-headquartered managed service provider Mobliciti. The acquisition adds enterprise mobility management and mobile security capabilities to Kocho’s services portfolio to support customers’ digital transformation and security needs. Financial terms were not disclosed.

DNA Payments acquired First Payment Merchant Services (FPMS), a Surrey, United Kingdom-based payment solutions provider serving more than 10,000 UK customers. The deal is intended to expand DNA Payments’ omnichannel payments platform to FPMS customers and add FPMS’s in-house team and capabilities to the DNA Payments Group.

Kerv, a cloud and digital transformation services provider backed by mid-market private equity firm LDC, has acquired Gyrocom, a network and security integrator specializing in SD-WAN. Gyrocom will operate as Kerv’s specialist networking and security division, strengthening Kerv’s managed networking, network security and SASE capabilities as part of its buy-and-build strategy.

Cairngorm Capital Partners-backed Independent Builders Merchant Group (IBMG) has acquired DW Burns & Partner Ltd, a family-run plumbers’ merchant and bathroom showroom business serving trade and retail customers in Surrey. The deal expands IBMG’s specialist plumbing and heating merchants network, with DW Burns’ owner Toby Hoyle remaining with the business to support integration and succession.

Livingbridge completed a majority investment in (acquired) Semafone, a provider of data security and compliance software for securing sensitive information across customer communication channels. The investment is intended to accelerate Semafone’s growth in the United States and internationally and provide liquidity to existing shareholders. Accel-KKR Credit Partners and Wells Fargo Capital Finance provided debt financing to support the transaction.

Cairngorm Capital Partners LLP, via its third fund Cairngorm Capital LP III, has acquired E-zec Medical Transport Services (E-zec), England’s largest independent provider of Non-Emergency Patient Transport Services (NEPTS). The investment enables the retirement of E-zec’s majority owner, Paul Swann, and supports the company’s planned growth including strengthening its data analytics capabilities.

Kingswood Holdings Limited agreed to and subsequently completed the acquisition of Regency Investment Services Limited, an independent financial adviser (IFA) business based in Egham, Surrey, for cash consideration of £3.45 million. The consideration is payable over three years, with £1.38 million paid at closing and the remainder deferred subject to pre-agreed recurring revenue and EBITDA hurdles, plus a potential additional deferred payment of up to £1.2 million tied to excess EBITDA performance. The deal expands Kingswood’s client-facing advisory team to 67 and increases assets under advice/management to approximately £5.0 billion.

The Creative Engagement Group (TCEG), part of Huntsworth, announced the acquisition of Cormis, a strategic communications and training consultancy serving the pharmaceutical industry. Cormis’ UK and US partners will continue to lead the business and join TCEG’s leadership team as the firm is integrated into TCEG’s healthcare-focused offering. The deal is noted as Huntsworth’s first acquisition under Clayton, Dubilier & Rice ownership.