River Capital has completed a six-figure investment to support the management buyout (MBO) of Liverpool based Actua, a specialist provider of building surveying and construction consultancy services.
The funding, provided through River Capital’s North West Business Growth Loan Fund, will enable Commercial Director David Sharp to acquire the 50% stake owned by his co-founder and Managing Director Simon Fullard, who is exiting the business after 14 years of successful trading.
Established in 2011, Actua has built an impressive reputation for delivering specialist building surveying and construction consultancy services for a range of clients across both private and public sectors. The company, which is regulated by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), has grown from its two founding directors to a team of six, with plans to create at least two additional jobs in the coming years.
Jim Moore, Investment Manager at River Capital, said: “We’re delighted to support David Sharp in this management buyout. Actua is a well-established, professionally run business with a strong track record. David brings significant experience to lead the company forward, along with ambitious plans for growth.
Actua works with prominent clients including various NHS Trusts, educational institutions such as the University of Liverpool and University of Manchester, and organisations like Urenco UK and various local authorities. The company is known for providing senior professionals to lead on all commissions, setting them apart from larger practices in the industry.
David Sharp, who will become the sole owner and Managing Director following the MBO, commented: “This investment from River Capital has been instrumental in enabling me to take full ownership of the business and implement our growth strategy. We have identified several exciting opportunities in our sector, including Building Safety Act implementation, decarbonisation strategy works, and retrofit assessments to achieve Net Zero goals. With River Capital’s support, we’re well positioned to capitalise on these opportunities and to move Actua forward. The MBO was facilitated by Langtons, with legal support from both Primas Law and Glenville Walker – all Liverpool based firms, showcasing the strength of professional services in the city.