Ringwood: Managers purchase staging company

A Ringwood company which stages events for some of the UK’s biggest corporate names is under new ownership following a successful management buyout.

Andy Haynes and Jeremy Shakerley have become managing partners of UKS&V after purchasing the company from its founders, Trevor Pogson and Kay Sutton, for an undisclosed sum.

The business, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year, lists the AA, Financial Services Authority (FSA), IBM and Vodafone among its many clients with UKS&V providing a range of services from event design and creative through to final delivery.

Haynes, who joined UKS&V in 1997, said: “It’s our intention to raise the company’s profile through great service, quality and value for money across many industry sectors.”

Shakerley, who has worked for UKS&V since 1989, said the business enjoyed an “excellent reputation”, particularly for its high production values. “We are looking to build on that in the years ahead,” he added.

The MBO was conducted by the corporate finance team at Princecroft Willis (PcW), chartered accountants and business advisers, led by partner Mark Aitchison and assisted by senior manager David Chapman.

The legal aspects were handled by Mike Doyle of Lester Aldridge while Danny Haywood and Paul Stewart of NatWest arranged finance for the deal.

Aitchison said PcW was able to draw on its range of specialist services to ensure the deal was delivered to the satisfaction of the new owners.

He added: “UKS&V is a fantastic business with a great future and we wish them every success.”