IT is intrinsic to many business operations today, so understanding the capabilities, limitations and risks of a company’s systems is important for anyone considering an acquisition. “IT systems are critical to a business’s ongoing success and its growth plans,” says Graham Pollitt of Dow Schofield Watts IT Advisory. “Without understanding the IT systems and having … Continued

NorthEdge Capital’s investment in the West Yorkshire manufacturer Platinum Stairlifts – on which Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services advised – has been named as Yorkshire Insider’s Deal of the Month for February. Platinum, based in Keighley, designs and manufactures a full suite of stairlift products. The company employs over 100 staff and distributes to more … Continued

Private equity firm YFM Equity Partners has backed the MBO of Checkmate Fire Solutions, a Leeds-based fire protection provider. Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services advised YFM on the deal. Checkmate Fire provides services including survey, design, specification and installation of solutions for fire stopping/air sealing, fire boarding and structural steel protection. The management team led … Continued

NVM Private Equity has led a £5 million growth capital minority investment into Manchester-based CURRENTBODY, an online retailer for home-use beauty devices.   Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services advised NVM on the deal, which will help support the company in its next phase of expansion and its working capital requirements.  Co-founded by Laurence Newman and Andrew … Continued

Merseyside-based Castlerock Recruitment Group (CRG) has acquired a national counterpart, Healthcare Locums (HCL), in a deal which creates one of the largest providers of health and social care professionals across the public and private sectors. Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services advised CRG on the deal, which will see it expand its services into India, Italy … Continued

Dow Schofield Watts is in the running for no fewer than six awards at the upcoming Yorkshire Accountancy Awards, which celebrate the achievements of individuals and firms of all sizes in the region. Dow Schofield Watts has been shortlisted for: Advisory Team of the Year (DSW Transaction Services) Partner of the Year (Rob McCarthy) Independent … Continued

Dow Schofield Watts Angels – the new Northern angel network – has completed its inaugural deal, with a £500,000 investment in Warrington-based software company Avanite.  Over 30 angel investors took part in the funding round, which will allow Avanite to expand its team to speed up product development and boost sales.  Founded in 2015 by IT consultants Peter Jones and Francesco Giarletta, Avanite has found a way to help … Continued

Independent advisory firm Dow Schofield Watts has launched a new IT due diligence and transformation service as it continues to expand its team of specialist advisors.  Dow Schofield Watts IT Advisory will be led by Graham Pollitt, who has over 25 years’ experience in managing IT projects and advising on IT in mergers and acquisitions. An Oxford University graduate, Graham joins from General Electric, where he successfully led the IT activities on numerous deals as part of ‘Project Hubble’, the … Continued