PE-backed Forensic Access Group buys ASI

Forensic Access Group, which is backed by Limerston Capital, has acquired Analytical Services International Limited, a bioanalysis and toxicology laboratory. No financial terms were disclosed. Strata Partners acted as corporate finance adviser to Forensic Access. RSM and Gately Legal also advised on the deal.

PRESS RELEASE

Limerston Capital’s portfolio company, Forensic Access Group, has completed the purchase of bioanalysis and toxicology laboratory, Analytical Services International Limited (ASI). The acquisition strengthens the group’s breadth of expertise within the forensic and related analytical services sectors, allowing it to drive innovation and growth.

Oxfordshire-based Forensic Access Group sits as part of Limerston Capital’s AFA International platform. The group is established as a dominant player within forensic and related analytical services and specialises in the provision of cutting-edge services to the UK’s criminal justice system, covering criminal, family, and civil law.

ASI is headquartered in London and brings almost 40 years’ toxicology experience to Forensic Access Group. The business was founded by Professors Atholl Johnston and David Holt and is acknowledged as one of the UK’s leading providers of specialist forensic toxicology, therapeutic drug monitoring, clinical trial bioanalysis and expert witness services.

ASI will complement and enhance Forensic Access Group and is aligned with wider ambitions to create a full-service forensics offering, rooted in quality, innovation, and scientific excellence. As part of the acquisition, Professor Atholl Johnston will continue to provide scientific leadership and expert insight together with Stewart Hollington as Managing Director.

Jon Blows, Chief Financial Officer for Forensic Access, commented: “We have a clear and ambitious vision for how we can create a group well placed to serve the national and international criminal justice services space. The addition of ASI is an example of our investment criteria; it is a respected business with a longstanding reputation for providing quality, reliable, innovative, and expert work. We are looking forward to liaising with the leadership team as we explore how we can collaborate for the benefit of our clients.”

ASI Managing Director, Stewart Hollington, said: “Forensic Access Group boasts an impressive range of disciplines and by joining the group, we have taken another step towards offering the market a full service offering for forensic casework investigation. We will bring the significant experience our team has to an already well-established team of highly reputable forensic scientists at Forensic Access with whom we have collaborated on complex cases for several years.

“With strong support from Limerston Capital, our combined talents and ambition will ensure that the UK criminal justice system has enhanced access to the very highest quality and progressive forensic science.”

James Paget, Limerston Capital Founding Partner added: “Forensic Access Group has a well-developed strategy, based on a deep understanding of its clients’ needs. This is evident in other recent acquisitions and now with the addition of ASI. We have enjoyed working with the team to complete carefully considered acquisitions that will bolster the firm’s expertise, bringing together world-class forensic science experts to provide a holistic offer to clients. We will continue to support the team as the business goes from strength to strength.”

Forensic Access Group was established in 2020 and was strengthened in January 2021 with the acquisition of digital forensics and cyber security firm, IntaForensics. In May 2021, the group welcomed the addition of Alecto, recognised as a dominant player within the UK’s forensic archaeology, anthropology, and ecology sectors, and Faraday Forensics, a leading mobile forensics firm in October 2021.

Strata Partners acted as exclusive corporate finance adviser to Forensic Access. RSM and Gately Legal also advised on the deal.

About Limerston Capital
Founded in 2015 by James Paget, João Rosa and Martim Avillez, London based Limerston Capital pursues control investments in UK mid-market companies and seeks to create value through the firm’s buy-and-build and operationally focused model. The firm targets businesses with EBITDA of between £5 million and £15 million, that have a solid value proposition, but have potential for operational improvements, have mispriced underlying returns on capital and provide opportunities for strategic repositioning via consolidation.