Thames Valley: Shoosmiths advises Churchill Group on growth investment

Lawyers from Shoosmiths in Thames Valley have advised Churchill Group on its recent investment by ESO Capital Partners UK LLP.

The Shoosmiths team was led by corporate partner Sanjeev Sharma, senior associate Kiran Dhesi and solicitor Lawrence Renny, alongside partner Andrew Millar in Shoosmiths’ Manchester office.

The investment will enable the company to progress its long-term growth strategy, both through acquisition and organically, in the highly fragmented business services market. ESO has also taken a minority stake in the company with Stephen Edwards and Stuart Hamilton of ESO joining Churchill’s board.

Founded in 1988 by Joel Briggs and Phil Moxom, Churchill is growing rapidly with a turnover now exceeding £230 million. The company provides businesses with cleaning, security, catering and environmental consultancy services across the education, rail and transport, public sector, corporate and property management sectors.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with the team at Churchill on their latest deal helping them to drive forward their ambitious growth strategy and succeed in the UK market”, said Sanjeev Sharma, partner at Shoosmiths.

Joel Briggs, managing director and co-founder of Churchill, added: “Working with the Shoosmiths team again has been great as they understand our business and what we’re trying to achieve. Their advice and support has been invaluable.”

Churchill Group was advised by Shoosmiths (Legal), Grant Thornton (Corporate Finance) and RSM (Financial Due Diligence). ESO’s deal team was led by Stephen Edwards and Stuart Hamilton advised by Pinsent Masons (Legal) and Teneo (Customer Due Diligence).