LDC-backed Green Sky Energy acquires DWEC

Lloyds Development Capital (LDC) – backed Green Sky Energy, one of the UK’s leading energy management businesses, has boosted its international capabilities after acquiring two businesses from the DWEC Group.

DWEC and DWEC Europe operate in the building energy management systems (BEMS) arena, predominantly in the South of England and Channel Islands. The Group is one of the UK’s leading systems integrators and managed service providers.

Established in the early 1990s, DWEC serves a largely blue-chip client base and has carried out installations in a number of prestigious sites including Buckingham Palace the Royal Household buildings, Natural History Museum, National Gallery and the Royal Albert Hall.
 
DWEC Europe was formed in 2002 and has customers in niche sectors such as pharmaceuticals, data centres and European wide media businesses. The company has developed a strong international capability and regularly carries out projects across Europe.
 
Green Sky Energy received a £10 million equity injection from LDC in March this year to acquire Matrix Group. Matrix is one of the UK’s market leading sustainable energy services organisations, deploying unified energy services to its blue chip client base, which includes Tesco, Marks & Spencer, BAE Systems and the BBC.
 
The acquisitions of DWEC and DWEC Europe were funded by a further equity investment from LDC and were led by LDC Investment Directors Jonathan Bell and Jon Pickering.
 
The deal brings the combined group turnover to over £36 million and strengthens its international offering as well as its focus in the key markets of London and the South East of England.
 
Jonathan Bell at LDC said: “LDC is committed to providing high quality companies with the means to build scale organically and through acquisitions. The deal represents an excellent strategic and geographic fit for Matrix, adding more bandwidth to the group’s services as well as proven technical skills.
 
“This complementary acquisition also enables Green Sky to continue to meet the growing demands of its customers, who are increasingly keen to reduce their energy consumption as a result of the introduction in April of the new CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme, continued price volatility in the energy markets and the growing importance of efficiency as part of their corporate social responsibility strategies.”
 
Ian Kelly, Chief Executive, said: “This acquisition and investment is an exciting time for us all, allowing us to scale our already unique market position and continue our strategic partnering with leading UK brands that are looking for credible, national managed energy services providers.
 
“The challenges of both rising energy costs and carbon reduction legislation across large property estates are really driving the market and it’s key that we maintain and further develop our service capability for our clients in both reach and technical expertise, and DWEC enhances our client services significantly.”
 
“Since the deal, we’ve worked closely with LDC and the additional funding will enable us to build a true market-leading presence in the energy management sector with unrivalled depth and breadth of capability and skills, both technical and operational.”
 
Following the investment, the Operations Board will be further strengthened with the appointments of David Woodhams, Founder and Chairman of DWEC and Darren Chenery, Director of DWEC Europe, who have over 40 years combined industry experience. Both Dave and Darren have invested in Green Sky Energy alongside existing investors.
 
David Woodhams said: “We are delighted to be a major part of the UK’s market leader in building energy solutions. The merging of DWEC and Matrix has created a business capable of national energy service delivery to meet the demands of the new dynamic energy market”

Location UK, London & East Sussex

Bglobal acquires Utiligroup

Bglobal plc (AIM: BGBL), the smart metering and energy data company,  has acquired the entire issued share capital of Utiligroup, a provider of energy data management and process solutions to companies operating in the energy and utilities sectors, for a maximum consideration of up to £12.8 million. The deal completed in June 2010.

Bglobal are financing the deal through a £6.5 million placing and raised approximately a £1.5 million open offer of 17,785,547 new ordinary shares at a price of 38p each.

Utiligroup has three principal wholly owned trading subsidiaries:

  • Utilisoft, one of the UK’s leading providers of energy data management and process solutions to companies operating in the energy and utilities sector;
  • Utilisoft Australia, an established supplier of software solutions to the energy and utilities sector in Australia and Singapore; and 
  • Utiliserve, which offers managed service and IT application outsourcing capabilities to utility companies.

The maximum consideration payable is £12.8 million to be satisfied by:

  • An initial consideration of £5.3 million, to be satisfied by £4.3 million in cash and £1.0 million worth of new Shares issued at 43p each. 
  • A performance consideration of up to £7.5 million, dependent on the trading performance of Utiligroup in the year ending 31 March 2011, to be satisfied by up to £4.125 million in cash and up to £3.375 million in new Shares.

Commenting, Tony Barnes, Chief Executive of Bglobal said: “Utiligroup is the UK’s leading energy data software specialist and together with smart metering leader Bglobal Metering we are creating the UK’s premier energy data solutions business positioned to deliver the full end-to-end smart energy solutions that our UK customers and markets all over the World are beginning to demand.

“Even before the widespread domestic roll out of smart meters in the UK, smart metering is driving the creation of innovative new business models and Bglobal is positioning itself to lead in these opportunities.

“Whist the focus to date has been the logistical effort of meter exchange, the growing challenge facing the industry in our view is the management and application of vast and continuous flows of smart meter data and the requirement to build entirely new types of information systems to process it.

“Government policy and sustainability agendas are driving Britain towards the Smart Grid and as customers start generating their own energy and expect to be paid for doing so, companies who quickly deliver customers with products that support the transition to a low carbon economy are most likely to gain advantage.

“The enlarged Group’s strategy is to create a full service, end-to-end smart energy value chain of products, services and new software applications which will help to build Britain’s low carbon, smart energy future.

“This acquisition places the Group in a strong position to capitalise on these opportunities. With nearly 230 expert staff, an international customer base and operations in the UK and Australia we are confident the expanded Group has the expertise, experience, knowledge and reach to realise our vision of making energy count for our customers in the UK and Globally.”

John Furness, Managing Director of Utiligroup, said: “Being part of Bglobal plc provides Utiligroup with a wonderful opportunity not only to extend the reach of our software solutions and service businesses, but also to play a part in building compelling end-to-end deliverables with Bglobal Metering, harnessing the expertise of both organisations. This union will accelerate the growth of Utiligroup, from both the UK and Australian bases, in ways we could not have achieved without the strength of Bglobal plc, and we look forward to our role in a major force that will build a smart energy world.”

Location: UK, Lancashire

Digital Sky Technologies‘ $6 billion IPO

According to the WSJ and Vedomosti, Digital Sky Technologies‘ Russian investment holding, DST Russia, which owns online portal Mail.ru, ICQ, majority of social network Odnoklassniki.ru is expected to do IPO of between 10% and 25% of its shares in London in spring 2011.

DST was founded in 2005 and is one of the largest internet companies in the Russian-speaking and Eastern European markets and one of the leading investment groups globally to exclusively focus on internet related companies. DST, together with its affiliate DST Global, also holds stakes in internet world leaders such as Facebook, Zynga and Groupon. DST is a privately held company backed by leading international financial institutions and companies.

According to Quintura (refering to Russian language paper Vedomosti). DST Russia could be valued at $6 billion, Vedomosti said, thus implying value of stake to be sold at IPO at between $600 million and $1,500 million.

Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan are to manage the IPO.
Location: Russia, Moscow

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DST to assume full control of Mail.ru upon share swap with Naspers

Naspers’s (the broad based international media group) subsidiary Myriad International Holdings B.V. (“MIH”) is to take a 28,7% stake in Digital Sky Technologies Limited (“DST”), the internet company that has stakes in stakes in internet world leaders such as Facebook, Zynga and Groupon. The transaction will be effected by Naspers contributing its 39,3% stake in Mail.ru into DST and investing US$388m in cash. Concurrently, Mail.ru management and other minorities will also convert their shares into DST.

Upon the close of this transaction, DST will own over 99,9% of Mail.ru. Mail.ru is the leading communication and entertainment platform in the Russian-speaking internet world, with over 50m registered email accounts, leading market share in MMO games and one of the leading social networks in Russia.

Naspers and DST have worked closely together over the past three years as co-owners of Mail.ru and today’s transaction will enable them to further strengthen that relationship.

Chief Executive Officer of DST, Yuri Milner, said, “Naspers’s strategic insight has already proven to be valuable in our partnership and we welcome the expertise they will bring to DST. We are delighted to announce this transaction and look forward to creating further value through our relationship.”

Antonie Roux, head of Naspers’s internet operations, commented: “We have known DST and its management for years and we share a similar view and approach. We are excited to strengthen our partnership. This opportunity further expands our exposure to emerging markets and the fast-growing internet sector.”

Location: South Africa, Johannesburg & Russia, Moscow

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UBM Aviation acquires The Route Development Group

UBM Aviation has today announced that it has acquired The Route Development Group Limited (RDG). The combination of RDG’s highly respected events and consultancy business with our OAG data and schedules business will bring great benefits to our customers in the airline and airport communities.

RDG comprises four main business areas:

Routes – The World Route Development Forum – is widely considered the industry-leading, global networking event for providing airlines, airports, suppliers and industry observers the opportunity to meet to develop new aviation routes worldwide, as well as manage existing networks.

The regional Routes series of events: Routes Europe, Routes Americas, Routes Asia, Routes Africa and Routes CIS. All events serve the needs of route developers and network planners in their specific local regions.

Airport Strategy & Marketing Ltd. (ASM), a highly-regarded aviation route consulting services business serving the global airport customer community.

Routesonline.com, an online portal bringing together airports and airlines to share information and intelligence such as facilities, traffic statistics, air services, demographics and supporting resources, as well as through Route Exchange a platform for airports to bid directly for airline capacity.

This transaction will enable UBM Aviation to provide its customers with a broader and deeper set of product offerings across data, analytics, events and consultancy to help our airline and airport customers manage their schedules operations and route networks to optimum efficiency and effectiveness.

“We are delighted to have acquired this fantastic business, which includes a genuinely unique mix of assets that will enhance how we serve the airline and airport markets. I am also pleased to welcome their solid base of talented aviation industry experts.  Their skills will greatly complement the UBM Aviation team,” said Peter von Moltke, Chief Executive Officer, UBM Aviation. “RDG’s collective assets, merged with our own, will strengthen our position as the leading global provider of aviation intelligence, and events, and create a solid foundation for our global aviation consulting business, all contributing to the company’s future growth. We look forward to growing ASM and the Routes events further by utilizing the global UBM resources.”

“I am extremely satisfied to have sold RDG to an industry leader such as UBM Aviation. Over the past 17 years, ASM and Routes have changed the way the world’s airlines and airports do business and pioneered a whole new approach to air service development. With the help of dedicated teams, we developed ASM into the world’s leading aviation route development consultancy and the award-winning Routes into the industry’s largest networking forum. I am proud to say that RDG has become the leading global solutions provider in the route development industry. Looking ahead, there is a lot of scope for both ASM and Routes to further flourish, and I am certain that UBM Aviation with its strong market position is the ideal company to lead RDG into a continuously successful future,” said Mike Howarth, Group CEO, RDG.

Location: UK, London

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Publicis Groupe acquires G4 in China

Publicis Groupe has acquired G4, a Bejing-based full-service advertising agency. Effective immediately, the agency will rebrand as Publicis G4, and will be joined by the Publicis Beijing Nestle team to service Nestle throughout Greater China.

Current G4 Managing Director, Laurent Beloeuvre, will head the new entity, and will have the additional role of Greater China Director on the Nestle account.

Launched in 2009, G4 with 28 advertising professionals offers design and creative expertise, event management and consulting for Nestle in China.

China has one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing advertising markets in the world. According to ZenithOptimedia forecasts (March 2010), the Chinese ad market is expected to grow by 11.5% in 2010. Publicis Groupe is present in China through all of its global networks. The Groupe employs more than 3,700 professionals throughout more than 50 cities (including Beijing, Shanghai, Chengdu, and Guangzhou).

Location: France, Paris & China, Beijing

Ref: F231109-491

Spice PLC release their results for the year to April 2010

Spice PLC have released their final results for the year to April 2010

Financial Summary

  • Revenue £310.7m up 11%
  • EBITA £36.1m up 8%
  • PBTA £31.5m Unchanged
  • Total dividend 1.62p 8%
  • Net debt £117.5m
  • Pro-forma net debt (post Telecoms business sale) £91.0m

Highlights

  • £31.3 million was spent on acquisitions in the year. £17.0 million on new acquisitions and £14.3 million on earnouts.
  • The supply Division generated revenues of £40.9 million and EBITA of £18.1 million.
  • The Distribution Division generated revenues of £269.8 million and EBITA of £26.7 million
  • The energy business (Supply Division) grew revenue by 32% in fragmented growth markets – record year for new customers. The stated strategy is to grow the successful Energy business which is already a major player in the fragmented global growth market, and build an international presence

Immediate Strategy

  • Capitalise on growth opportunities in utilities and energy markets
  • Further disposal of non-core assets
  • Attention to cost base /re-focus on organic growth
  • Reduce net debt to less than 2x EBITD

Medium Term Strategy

  • Focus on attractive markets with strong underlying regulatory and environmental drivers
  • Leverage Distribution’s technical skills and capabilities in the UK and internationally
  • Grow successful Energy business which is a major player in fragmented global growth market – build international presence
  • Maintain dominant Billing position in the UK and seek to develop USA markets
  • No sacred cows exist. Focus on optimum shareholder value

Related link – Final results presentation

Location: UK,  Leeds

Ref: F231109-490

Andrew Miller appointed chief executive officer of Guardian Media Group

Andrew Miller has been appointed chief executive officer of Guardian Media Group. He succeeds Carolyn McCall, who left the Group at the end of June to become chief executive of easyJet. Andrew was previously chief financial officer of GMG and takes up his new position with immediate effect.

Amelia Fawcett, chair of GMG, said: “Andrew is the ideal appointment to this role, following a rigorous recruitment process that produced a very high-quality shortlist of candidates. He has great financial acumen, an intimate understanding of GMG’s portfolio and a full appreciation of our unique purpose and values. He knows how to drive successful digital transformation and has led large-scale financial transactions. Most importantly, he has the ability, desire and vision to lead GMG through the next stage of its development and to ensure a sustainable future for our journalism.”

Andrew Miller said: “It is a great privilege and responsibility to lead Guardian Media Group and to play a key role in supporting the independence of our journalism. While the media sector faces continued change, to which we will need to adapt, our strong portfolio of businesses and investments means we have a solid base from which to move forward.”

Location: UK, London

Ref: F231109-484

Related article – Trinity Mirror plc to acquire GMG Regional Media Posted on February 9, 2010

Live Promotions acquires Vintage and Classic Events

Live Promotions has aquired Vintage and Classic Events with immediate effect. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Bob Limming, Director of Live Promotions said: “It is really a question of passing the baton on to Live, who are the leading automotive event organisers in the UK.”

Live Promotions owns the high octane winter motorsport event Race Retro, held at Stoneleigh Park, and classic outdoor event Bromley Pageant of Motoring. Live also own the massively popular Truckfest series, that together with Land Rover events throughout the country as well as several motorcycle and modified car shows.

Bob added: “Live Promotions are very conscious that the VCE events started by Neil Bateman and then latterly organised by Lyn Bateman, have been a labour of love for many years. Live Promotions intend to retain the core values of the Restoration Show and the MG and Triumph shows, all of which are held at Stoneleigh Park, and at the same time adding one or two new features to enhance each event. An added bonus is that Lyn Bateman will not be a stranger and will help us with the transition. We look forward to the first of the shows, which will be the Restoration Show on 24th October 2010.”

Location: UK, Spalding, Lincs

Ref: F231109-483

Wilmington in talks to acquire Dods

According to The Sunday Times, Wilmington is in talks to acquire Dod’s Parliamentary Guides and The House Magazine in a deal said to be valued at around £20 million – based on an estimated price per share of 15p. The stock closed on Friday at 10.5p per share. According to The Sunday Times report, due diligence is currently underway and the deal may still be several weeks away.

Dod’s has provided contact and biographical information about and to the Houses of Parliament and the Civil Service since 1832. In 2002 Huveaux PLC acquired Vacher Dod Publishing Ltd. In 2004 Huveaux PLC also acquired Parliamentary Communications Ltd and merged it with Vacher Dod Publishing to form Dod’s Parliamentary Communications. This brought the Vacher Dod books and the House Magazine, the Parliamentary Monitor, Parliament Magazine, Whitehall and Westminster World and ePolitix.com under one imprint. Vacher’s Parliamentary Companion was renamed Vacher’s Quarterly. Famously, in over 173 years Vacher’s has never missed an issue.

Shareholders of Dods include Mike Danson of Progressive Digital Media and former owner of Datamonitor (sold to Informa) and Schroders.

Location: UK, London

Ref: F231109-482