Octopus invests in Anglo European Group

Octopus Investments has made an undisclosed investment in Anglo European Group Ltd. UK-based Anglo is a provider of specialist steel sections for window and door reinforcement. WKCF provided financial due diligence to Octopus on the transaction while Cowgill Holloway served as financial advisor to Anglo. In addition to the investment, Edward Keelan and Clara Hansen will join the board.

PRESS RELEASE

Octopus Investments (‘Octopus’), a fast-growing UK fund management company with leading positions in several specialist sectors including smaller company investing, has today announced the completion of an investment in Anglo European Group Ltd (‘Anglo’), one of the UK’s largest suppliers of specialist steel sections for window and door reinforcement.

Anglo was founded in 1990 and is managed by Paul and Chris Sullivan. Since 1990 it has grown to become a market leader in its specialist areas. Anglo’s ‘cut to size’ proposition, which helps window manufacturers to make significant savings on reinforcement, differentiates its offering and has enabled the business to establish a high share of its market. Anglo now works with approximately 400 customers and delivers exceptional levels of service to its diverse client base. In April 2014, Anglo acquired Marybern Rolled Products Limited, a competitor located in North Wales, which provided the company with additional manufacturing capacity and storage.

The investment sees Paul and Chris Sullivan release some of their equity to Octopus. CEO Paul Sullivan will become the majority shareholder in Anglo, while Chris Sullivan, currently Operations Director, will reduce his stake in the business. Peter Toland, previously CEO of Autologic, a leader in aftermarket automotive diagnosis also backed by Octopus, will become Chairman of Anglo.

Octopus and Peter Toland will now assist Anglo in pursuing its expansion strategy, enabling the company to reach more customers both in the UK and abroad.

Paul Sullivan, CEO of Anglo, said: “This significant investment will allow Anglo to provide greater support for our customer base, while the appointment of Peter Toland as our new Chairman will be invaluable to our firm, given his significant business expertise. Octopus has an exceptional track record of backing companies like ours to help achieve success through organic growth, and we are delighted with the support they have provided as we seek to meet our ambitions for the business in the near future.”

Grant Paul-Florence, head of the Intermediate Capital team at Octopus, said: “Anglo is an established and market leading business with an experienced management team, a unique market position and strong growth prospects. We are looking forward to working with Paul, Chris, Peter and the team as they take the business forward and move into the next exciting phase of development.”

Octopus was advised by WKCF (financial due diligence), Shoosmiths (legal) and AMR (commercial). Anglo was advised by Peter Bibby of AB Corporate Law, Bolton (legal) and Cowgill Holloway (financial advisers).

Edward Keelan and Joe Hartman led the deal for Octopus, with support from Clara Hansen. Edward and Clara will join the Board.

About Octopus Investments
Octopus Investments is a fast-growing UK fund management business with leading positions in several specialist sectors including healthcare, energy and smaller company investing. Founded in 2000, Octopus manages more than £5.5 billion of funds on behalf of 50,000 investors.

Working closely with financial advisers, we create investment solutions that combine our expertise in smaller company investing with government approved tax reliefs. Our core product range currently includes Venture Capital Trusts, Enterprise Investment Schemes and Inheritance Tax Services offering award-winning solutions for investors looking for capital growth, income generation or capital preservation.
As an entrepreneurial company, we understand what it takes to build a business. We work hand-in-hand with some of the most successful entrepreneurs and management teams in the country to help finance companies capable of creating, transforming or dominating their industry. We invest in both private companies and those listed on the Alternative Investment Market.

Exceptional customer service and a straight talking approach to investing are integral to the way we do business at Octopus. We have twice been voted one of the best 100 smaller companies to work for.

For further information, visit www.octopusinvestments.com.