Berkshire: James Cowper shines on sale of Eclipse marketing

Thames Valley and South Coast accountants James Cowper has provided advisory services to the shareholders of Eclipse Marketing on the successful acquisition of the business by US-based firm Stericycle, Inc. The company is now part of Stericycle's business unit ExpertSOLUTIONS. 

Founded in 1988, Eclipse Marketing, based in Berkshire, is a UK top 40 agency specialising in CRM and database solutions to blue chip clients. The acquisition provides Eclipse with future potential growth opportunities, enhancing contact and geographical reach with a range of customers globally.

Listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Stericycle is a global leader in the provision of product recalls, disposals and sustainability services, aiming to protect society and minimise risk. The unit of ExpertSOLUTIONS assists companies with a range of marketing solutions for the promotion and safeguarding of brands. As a leading company that carries out similar operations, Eclipse Marketing is an integral part of the firm's continual development in marketing services.

The transaction utilised the experience of James Cowper Corporate Finance, with head Nick Rogers overseeing the process and ensuring that the vendors' exit value was maximised and protected, while also co-ordinating a number of other specialists within James Cowper including tax partner Chris Lee and his team. The appointment of James Cowper also ensured the continuation of the daily operations of Eclipse Marketing with minimal disruption. The process was completed in three weeks - a rarity given current economic conditions.

Eclipse Marketing's chariman David Pickering said: “We needed the support of a team who were focused in managing the due diligence process and who shared the desire to make the acquisition happen within the timescales that suited both businesses. We were in good hands from the start with Nick Rogers and the deal was transacted efficiently and smoothly.”

Rogers commented: “This is an excellent deal allowing the shareholders of Eclipse to crystallise the considerable value they have built since 1988. To complete the deal from start to finish in such a short timeframe was a challenge and was down to hard work and commercial advice at key points of the process. Eclipse has been a valued client of James Cowper for over 10 years and we have been aware of their exit objectives for some considerable time so it is particularly satisfying to assist David Pickering and Penny Hutton to achieve them. I have every confidence the combined businesses will be very successful into the future.”

James Cowper has offices in Newbury, Oxford, Reading, Southampton, Henley and London, and a client base of over 3,000 businesses and private individuals.