Convex advises on SMH Group investment from Phoenix Equity Partners
Convex advised the shareholders of SMH Group on a strategic investment from Phoenix Equity Partners, a leading growth-focused mid-market private equity firm investing in UK private companies.
SMH Group – https://smh.group
Phoenix Equity Partners – https://phoenix-equity.com
Founded in 2001 and headquartered in London, Phoenix Equity Partners is an independently owned, growth-focused private equity firm with over 200 years of combined investing experience across its team. Phoenix invests between £10 million and £60 million of equity per partnership in established, growing UK businesses, with a focus on business services, financial services, healthcare, education, consumer, and industrials.
Phoenix has partnered with SMH to help the company accelerate its already successful growth strategy. The group is already recognised for its high-quality service, and with Phoenix’s support, SMH is seeking to fulfil its vision of becoming the leading accountant and business adviser in the region. This will be achieved through a blend of organic growth and targeted acquisitions, underpinned by a strong commitment to attracting and retaining the best talent. The investment reflects Phoenix’s commitment to partnering with ambitious management teams of successful, growing businesses and helping them to scale rapidly.
SMH was founded in 1995 as Sutton McGrath Hartley based in Sheffield and Chesterfield. In 2018, the firm began an exciting growth period, first acquiring BullockWoodburn followed by Andertons Liversidge, Haywood & Co, Jolliffe Cork, Malcolm J Harris, BCL Accountants, D’Arcy Howard & Co, Howard Matthews, and Sheards.
With over 150 staff spread across nine offices in Buxton, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Leeds, Rotherham, Wakefield, and the original Sheffield and Chesterfield homes, SMH’s clients now have access to a comprehensive range of services, including chartered accounting, financial services, wills and probate, commercial finance, residential mortgages, and corporate finance.
The business will continue to be led by CEO, Jonathon Dickens, and Chairman, James Hartley.
Will Skinner, Partner at Phoenix, commented:
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the fantastic team at SMH Group. They have achieved impressive growth since 2017 – increasing revenues 10-fold in this time – through a combination of organic expansion and strategic acquisitions. We look forward to supporting the team to realise their bold vision and ambitious plans for the future.
“We were absolutely thrilled with our decision to appoint Convex as our advisors. This process is never an easy one, but they were always on hand to offer advice & assistance and to help make life as easy as possible for the management team. I would highly recommend them to people looking for investment or a sale.”
Jonathon Dickens, CEO
