At LDC I am responsible for sourcing and completing transactions in the £10m - £100m equity range

scarlettabbott is an award-winning management consultancy that specialises in employee engagement, change management, behavioural science and internal communications. It helps clients to better engage with their people in order to enhance performance, drive sustainable growth and positively influence workplace culture.

LDC has backed the creation of a new national lettings and estate agency group in a £100million transaction to merge Lomond Capital and Linley & Simpson.The new group has a combined portfolio of over 22,000 properties under management and major hubs in private rental hotspots including Aberdeen, Birmingham, Brighton, Edinburgh, Hull, Leeds Manchester, Sheffield and York.The group brings together some of the UK’s strongest high street letting and estate agency brands including… Show more LDC has backed the creation of a new national lettings and estate agency group in a £100million transaction to merge Lomond Capital and Linley & Simpson.The new group has a combined portfolio of over 22,000 properties under management and major hubs in private rental hotspots including Aberdeen, Birmingham, Brighton, Edinburgh, Hull, Leeds Manchester, Sheffield and York.The group brings together some of the UK’s strongest high street letting and estate agency brands including Linley & Simpson, Thornley Groves, Brand Vaughan, John Shepherd, Stonehouse and Braemore. Show less

Shield Group International (SGI) is a market leader in environmental compliance and specialises in health and safety services in relation to legionella, water safety, asbestos and other hazardous materials.In May 2019 LDC invested £20m to back the carve out of SGI from global testing, inspection and certification group Kiwa.SGI is now investing in its current portfolio of services to accelerate organic growth and also looking to add complementary service lines through a targeted… Show more Shield Group International (SGI) is a market leader in environmental compliance and specialises in health and safety services in relation to legionella, water safety, asbestos and other hazardous materials.In May 2019 LDC invested £20m to back the carve out of SGI from global testing, inspection and certification group Kiwa.SGI is now investing in its current portfolio of services to accelerate organic growth and also looking to add complementary service lines through a targeted buy and build strategy in its chosen international markets. Show less

MSQ Partners is a multi-disciplinary group of digital, creative, branding and PR agencies that specialise in marketing communications for consumer and B2B brands and the public sector.

SRL boasts a nationwide network of 26 depots. It has the industry’s biggest range of temporary pedestrian and traffic light systems and is the UK market leader in sale and hire to the traffic-management sector.Its equipment is used on many of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, providing customers with 24/7 support and maintenance services.In September 2019, LDC invested £24m to back the management buyout of the business, as it embarked on the next phase of its growth… Show more SRL boasts a nationwide network of 26 depots. It has the industry’s biggest range of temporary pedestrian and traffic light systems and is the UK market leader in sale and hire to the traffic-management sector.Its equipment is used on many of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, providing customers with 24/7 support and maintenance services.In September 2019, LDC invested £24m to back the management buyout of the business, as it embarked on the next phase of its growth strategy.The buyout was led by SRL’s existing CEO Richard Tredwin and his management team. Show less

Headquartered in Northumberland, Mandata designs and develops software that allows road transport operators to manage workflow and data more effectively.Its transport management system integrates a suite of end-to-end products, including traffic planning and management, tracking, telematics, and invoicing. Used by hauliers across the UK, Mandata helps its customers to improve productivity, deliver efficiency savings, and improve real-time visibility of their operations.

LDC completed the management buyout of Stroma, the UK’s leading provider of regulatory driven compliance and software applications, in May 2014. Part of the original investment strategy was to pursue a buy & build strategy, and in October 2015 Stroma completed the first such acquisition, purchasing Greendoor Building Control & Specialist Services Limited, a market-leading building control service provider.

LDC backed the management buyout of construction, contracting and housebuilding software specialist Eque2.The multi-million-pound investment will be used to accelerate the firm’s growth strategy and buy-and-build programme, along with funding the simultaneous acquisition of the Miracle Dynamics Payroll and HR Solution.

In January 2017, LDC completed the £38m MBO of Fishawack and has committed further equity to accelerate Fishawack’s growth strategy, including potential acquisitionsFishawack Group is a specialist provider of scientific communications services to global pharmaceutical companies.

Mitrefinch is one of the UK’s leading developers of human capital management (HCM) software. It provides an integrated suite of HCM software spanning time and attendance, rostering, HR and payroll. Its products are helping more than 3,500 organisations to reduce cost whilst improving efficiency and compliance.Customers include small and medium sized firms (SMEs), mid and large corporates, public bodies, charities and universities.LDC is supporting the business with its ambitious… Show more Mitrefinch is one of the UK’s leading developers of human capital management (HCM) software. It provides an integrated suite of HCM software spanning time and attendance, rostering, HR and payroll. Its products are helping more than 3,500 organisations to reduce cost whilst improving efficiency and compliance.Customers include small and medium sized firms (SMEs), mid and large corporates, public bodies, charities and universities.LDC is supporting the business with its ambitious international expansion and development of new products to compliment its core suit of modules and I am working alongside the business’ experienced senior management team to identify and support relevant strategic acquisition opportunities.Mitrefinch plans to expand its nascent overseas business in Canada, the US and Australia, as well as developing new and existing relationships in its more established UK business.It also plans to commit significant investment to new product development to continue expanding and improving its suite of products, including its software as a service (SaaS) offering and its rostering product suite. Show less

LDC invested in CEL Procurement, a procurement service business for UK-based public sector organisations, in 2014. I joined the board, and supported the business in March 2015 when it launched and then rebranded as Inprova Group. In April 2015 Inprova Group acquired two non-domestic energy brokers, energyTEAM and ENER-G Procurement, which have been rebranded and integrated into Inprova’s new energy procurement division. In a further expansion of its energy services offer, the business… Show more LDC invested in CEL Procurement, a procurement service business for UK-based public sector organisations, in 2014. I joined the board, and supported the business in March 2015 when it launched and then rebranded as Inprova Group. In April 2015 Inprova Group acquired two non-domestic energy brokers, energyTEAM and ENER-G Procurement, which have been rebranded and integrated into Inprova’s new energy procurement division. In a further expansion of its energy services offer, the business purchased UES Energy in September 2015, and plans with our support to double the size of its business over the next three years. Show less

LDC backed the £62m management buyout of Angus Fire, the world’s leading manufacturer of firefighting products and technology, in 2013, taking a significant equity stake in the business. Upon completion of the deal I joined the board, and continue to support the business as it looks to capitalise on growing global demand for its products within the oil and gas sector, and to drive operational improvements to support the firm’s organic growth.

Mini-Cam is a market leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of pipeline inspection systems, principally serving the clean water and waste water utilities market in the UK and through an international distributor network. I led the transaction that saw LDC back the management buyout of Mini-Cam in July 2015 and take a substantial minority equity stake in the business. I joined the board and worked with the management team to accelerate the business’ growth, focusing on R&D and… Show more Mini-Cam is a market leading designer, manufacturer and supplier of pipeline inspection systems, principally serving the clean water and waste water utilities market in the UK and through an international distributor network. I led the transaction that saw LDC back the management buyout of Mini-Cam in July 2015 and take a substantial minority equity stake in the business. I joined the board and worked with the management team to accelerate the business’ growth, focusing on R&D and expanding the firm’s international presence. In November 2017 LDC completed the sale of Mini-Cam, to Halma plc in a deal that values the business at up to £85 million. Show less

I led the deal for LDC to back the £20m secondary buyout of Waterfall, a leading independent contract caterer operating through two very strong brands in Caterplus and Taylor Shaw. As a member of the board I am worked with the business’ impressive management team to develop its offering and identify and support strategic acquisition opportunities. In July 2016 LDC exited its investment in Waterfall Catering Group, the contract catering business behind Caterplus and Taylor… Show more I led the deal for LDC to back the £20m secondary buyout of Waterfall, a leading independent contract caterer operating through two very strong brands in Caterplus and Taylor Shaw. As a member of the board I am worked with the business’ impressive management team to develop its offering and identify and support strategic acquisition opportunities. In July 2016 LDC exited its investment in Waterfall Catering Group, the contract catering business behind Caterplus and Taylor Shaw, to Paris-based multinational Elior Group SA.The sale generated a 2.6x money multiple and IRR of 81 per cent for LDC. Show less

In 2011 LDC backed the management buyout of Kirona, a leading provider of field force automation solutions. We supported the business as it broke into vertical sectors such as healthcare, local government and construction, and expanded into new international markets including Europe, North America and Africa. We provided Kirona with additional equity in 2012 to acquire Xmbrace, which provides dynamic resource scheduling software. Since the original investment, Kirona has more than doubled… Show more In 2011 LDC backed the management buyout of Kirona, a leading provider of field force automation solutions. We supported the business as it broke into vertical sectors such as healthcare, local government and construction, and expanded into new international markets including Europe, North America and Africa. We provided Kirona with additional equity in 2012 to acquire Xmbrace, which provides dynamic resource scheduling software. Since the original investment, Kirona has more than doubled its staff, trebled revenues and materially increased earnings.LDC partially exited its investment in 2014 through a £20m secondary buyout to Livingbridge, providing a 2x money return. We continue to hold a minority stake in the business alongside Livingbridge. Show less

Metronet is an internet services provider combining innovative wireless technology with traditional fibre, and in 2012 LDC invested £11m in the business to accelerate its growth by expanding the capabilities and reach of its hybrid network across the UK.During the investment period, revenue at the business grew by 98% and EBITDA rose by 83%. We exited our investment in Metronet through a £45m secondary buyout backed by Livingbridge, representing a 4x money return for LDC.

LDC invested in Forrest, a leading construction services provider, in 2007. With our backing the business invested in a new environmental services division, new IT infrastructure to improve service delivery and efficiency across its operational teams, and a new regional service centre. During the investment period Forrest grew its turnover from £38m (2007) to over £100m (2013), with profits doubling to £8.2m. In 2013 we partially exited the business following a secondary buyout by… Show more LDC invested in Forrest, a leading construction services provider, in 2007. With our backing the business invested in a new environmental services division, new IT infrastructure to improve service delivery and efficiency across its operational teams, and a new regional service centre. During the investment period Forrest grew its turnover from £38m (2007) to over £100m (2013), with profits doubling to £8.2m. In 2013 we partially exited the business following a secondary buyout by Palatine Private Equity – LDC and Palatine now have a combined majority stake in Forrest and I remain on the board. Show less

ATP arranges flights, accommodation and events for clients, and LDC backed the business’ £36m management buyout in 2006. During our 20-month investment, the business increased headcount by 23% and delivered sales and profits ahead of plan.We exited the business in 2008 through a £73.5m secondary buyout to Barclays Private Equity

Green Sky Energy is the parent company to Matrix, which offers a suite of energy efficiency and management services. We backed the business in 2010 and it transformed into an integrated energy management services provider. LDC supported Matrix’s acquisitions of DWEC (2010) and ACME (2011), and revenues more than doubled from £25m (2010) to £54m (2012) whilst staff numbers increased from 105 to 340. We sold Green Sky Energy to E.ON Connecting Energies, a new global unit of E.ON, in 2013… Show more Green Sky Energy is the parent company to Matrix, which offers a suite of energy efficiency and management services. We backed the business in 2010 and it transformed into an integrated energy management services provider. LDC supported Matrix’s acquisitions of DWEC (2010) and ACME (2011), and revenues more than doubled from £25m (2010) to £54m (2012) whilst staff numbers increased from 105 to 340. We sold Green Sky Energy to E.ON Connecting Energies, a new global unit of E.ON, in 2013 – this generated a return for LDC in excess of 4x money multiple. Show less

I was a corporate finance advisor supporting deals in the £5m-£100m mid-market space

I qualified as a chartered accountant at PWC and joined the corporate tax team