5th September 2018
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 by CEO Mark Williams and his board colleagues Dave Woffendin and Tomasz Wisniewski, supported by financial director Alan Wilson and chairman Simon Moate, are now looking to invest further in sales and operations to accelerate growth across all areas of the business.
Checkmate Fire’s clients include facilities management and construction companies, specifiers, building owners, facilities managers and landlords across a variety of sectors, including healthcare, social housing, hospitality, prisons and commercial property.
Ian Waterfield, investment director at YFM said: “Checkmate Fire has a strong reputation in this industry and has delivered consistent growth over the last few years. Its focus on building safety and compliance provides a positive backdrop for the company to further develop its customer base and expand its geographic reach in the UK.”
Rob McCarthy and Jeff Gardner of Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services’ Leeds office provided financial due diligence for YFM on the deal, which is the fifth investment from its latest fund which closed in April 2017.