Newbury: Railway workers sell their research business

Former railway workers Roy Harrison and Keith Montague are on track for an enjoyable retirement following the sale of their business, Peeping, by Newbury-based BCMS Corporate.

The pair created Peeping in the late 1990s after more than 50 years between them working for British Rail. The company, which employs four full-time and 85 part-time workers, including their respective wives, specialises in providing research-based services to train operating companies such as First Great Western and National Express East Anglia. These include station footfall assessment and rail related surveys.

The founders, who launched the business in 1997, recently announced their intention to retire and approached corporate finance boutique BCMS Corporate to identify a suitable buyer. The new owners, AIM-listed Tracsis plc, provide operational planning software and consultancy services for a number of transport industries in the UK from their base at the University of Leeds.

Mike O’Connor, deal leader at BCMS Corporate, said: “We are extremely pleased for the owners that we have been able to find a natural home for their company and are confident that under the stewardship of Tracsis plc the business will continue to flourish in the months and years ahead. On a personal note it has been a pleasure to work with Keith and Roy and I wish them a long and happy retirement.”

Keith Montague, joint managing director, Peeping, added: “We are grateful to the team at BCMS Corporate for their support. They have helped us up every step of the way and we are confident the arrival of Tracsis plc will provide the perfect platform for Peeping to continue to grow.”