MBO triggered at Liverpool engineering firm after £500,000 investment

The eponymous owner of M&E consultancy Steven A Hunt & Associates has sold the company he founded in 1989 to its senior leadership team.

The firm’s SLT, made up of managing director Neil Baines and directors Anne King, Dave Kelly, and Dominic Sibbring, has taken control of the Liverpool-based outfit from the founder thanks to a £500,000 loan from River Capital.

Hunt will remain with the firm as a consultant.

The funding package included debt from River Capital and vendor deferment sees the four-member management team acquire the remaining 79%of the business.

Baines and his fellow directors bought 21% of the company last year when Hunt handed the day-to-day running of the business to Baines and took on the role of chief executive.

Jim Moore, investment manager at River Capital, commented: “We are delighted to support the highly experienced management team at Steven A Hunt & Associates in this MBO.

“The company has demonstrated a consistent track record of profitability and is well-positioned for future growth. With the new leadership team’s complementary skills and deep client relationships, we are confident they will build successfully on the company’s 30-year heritage.”

Neil Baines, managing director at Steven A Hunt & Associates, added: “River Capital’s investment enables us to complete a carefully planned succession and provides the financial foundation for the next chapter in our company’s journey.

“With an increasing focus on sustainability across our key sectors of healthcare and education, we see tremendous opportunities ahead to design high-performing buildings that enhance wellbeing while minimising environmental impact.”

DSG Corporate Advisory and Morecrofts acted for Steven Hunt and Langtons Corporate Advisory and Primas Law acted on behalf of the new management team.