Private Equity Deals Round-Up 2021

2021 was an incredibly busy year for the Vista Private Equity team, our busiest yet in fact.  We advised on over 70 deals and continue to see increased numbers of portfolio clients making add-on acquisitions.

Over the past 6 years we have supported over 350 deals and we are confident for another successful and prosperous year in 2022, further growing our portfolio and client base.

If you would like to speak to us about any support and advice please get in touch, we’d be delighted to work with you.

Latest Deals 

The back to back acquisitions of Mr Pickford’s and its two acquisition targets, JM McGill Pharmacies and D&R Sharp Pharmacies has created one of the 30 largest independent pharmacy groups in the UK and forms the platform for an exciting buy and build opportunity in the highly fragmented community pharmacy sector.

Mr Pickford’s is a community pharmacy chain, providing drug dispensing and other traditional pharmacy services alongside an ever increasing level of other NHS primary care services (vaccinations etc).

It was formed over 20 years with the founders slowly acquiring individual sites to reach a seven site chain, all within the Leicester area. In 2019 the highly experienced pairing of CEO Mark Stephenson and COO Mimi Lau joined and took over running the Company from the founder owners with plans for an MBO and intention to pursue a buy and build in the fragmented community pharmacy sector.

With the outbreak of the global pandemic, discussions were put on hold. But with more certainty returning in spring 2021, and the sites performing well, Connection Capital engaged with the company in an off-market transaction to allow management to complete their MBO and the back to back acquisition of two further groups - equating to a further 14 sites.

Vista were pleased to assist Connection Capital with Insurance Due Diligence for this complex deal bringing together two target acquisitions in a combined three company deal.

We are also delighted to be working with the combined businesses providing advice as they continue their exciting journey.

Growth Capital Partners has made a minority investment in Flint Global (“Flint”), the third investment from GCP’s Fund V.

Flint is a political, policy, regulatory and competition advisory firm that specialises in advising  clients on complex business issues where government and business meet, offering an authoritative perspective on both. Flint is differentiated through the calibre and experience of its people and the exceptional quality of its client base.

Flint was founded in 2015 and has three practice areas, Policy and Political Analysis, Competition and Regulation and Markets and Investor Advisory.  It has deep sector expertise in financial services, pharma, technology, telecommunications, energy, and sustainability, and provides services to clients from its offices in London and Brussels.

Flint has achieved remarkable growth since it was founded in 2015. GCP’s investment is to support the next phase of this growth, through talent acquisition, broadening the service offering for clients and long-term development of business functions.

The deal was completed just before Christmas 2021 and Vista was able to provide insurance due diligence both for the UK business and through our overseas partner for their operation in Belgium.

For more on latest deals View Brochure