APEM Group, the environmental consultancy which is backed by private equity firm WestBridge, has made its first acquisition in Australia with the addition of Biosis, one of Australia’s leading ecology and heritage consultants.
Dow Schofield Watts provided corporate finance advice to APEM, working alongside Aequo Partners – the Australian representative from DSW’s international M&A network, Pandea.
The deal, which is APEM’s seventh overall acquisition since 2021, gives it a significant presence in Australia and expands its in-country locations to 10.
Biosis is renowned for its solutions-focused approach and has a rich history of delivering ecology and heritage services to clients in infrastructure, energy, water, design, construction and government for over 40 years.
Leah McGimpsey, APEM Group CEO, said: “Biosis joining the Group truly transforms our ability to serve clients locally in Australia. With 150 new colleagues across nine offices, this acquisition brings national ecology, botany, zoology and heritage capabilities into the Group that will benefit our clients in Australia, giving the Group significant in-country presence and accelerating our growth strategy in Asia Pacific.”
Pete Barkley, Partner at WestBridge, added: “This is a significant transaction that transforms APEM Group into a truly global environmental consultant. Biosis brings new capabilities to the Group and access to clients in key Australian markets. This sets up the Group well for further significant growth in Australia and accelerates delivery of the international growth plan. Leah and her leadership team continue to add complementary businesses that share a commitment to science-led, data-enabled environmental solutions, growing the business at pace and scale.”
Gregg Pendlington and Ross Thomas of Dow Schofield Watts North West corporate finance team advised APEM Group, working alongside Peter Hill and Brendan Chapman from Aequo Partners.
Gregg Pendlington, Partner, said: “We are delighted to have worked with the APEM and WestBridge teams again in completing this latest acquisition. It’s the seventh acquisition we’ve advised them on since 2021, contributing to a growth story that we’re particularly proud of. Working on Australian time was a challenge but made easier through working in collaboration with our global M&A members, Aequo Partners. Great job all around and great result!”
Dow Schofield Watts’ Midlands office has advised JPS Projects, a leading provider of specialist retrofit services with operations in Manchester, Chesterfield and Hemel Hempstead, on its private equity investment from Cordovan Capital Management.
