Dow Schofield Watts Transaction Services team provided financial due diligence to the North West team at private equity house LDC on their backing of the management buyout of software services company Stroma.
The company was established in 2002 by Matt Ferguson, Rob Coxon and Steve Turner. It offers regulatory driven compliance services and software applications to the energy and operational efficiency markets and is based in Castleford, West Yorkshire.
“After a decade of developing Stroma and establishing our leading position in the market, it is the ideal time to bring in an experienced investment partner,” said Ferguson.
“The team at LDC not only offers significant financial support, but also experience that will help us drive further growth in the future and especially as we bring our new software apps to market.”
Stroma employs 200 people and operates from two divisions: Stroma Certification, a provider of training, accreditation and associated software apps used in the UK energy assessment market; and Stroma Technology, a provider of regulatory driven consultancy services relating to building efficiency.
The deal was led by LDC investment directors Simon Braham and Chris Wright.
Braham said: “Since launching Stroma in 2002, Matt Ferguson and his team have very successfully driven the evolution of the business from a technical consultancy to a software-led certification provider to the UK energy efficiency industry.
“Stroma is widely recognised as a high quality training provider that has developed leading software apps that reduce the complexity of reporting and compliance requirements for its users.
“Stroma’s services and additional apps are expected to be in strong demand reflecting the management and in-house software development team’s deep understanding of the European regulatory and compliance environment which enables them to offer apps, training and services which drive high operational ROI for its customers.”