Founded in 1986, Cambridge-based COEL is an innovative design and fit-out company who advises professional and corporate clients across the UK. With locations in Cambridge, Oxford and Peterborough, COEL offers design, refurbishment, maintenance and building management services for all types of businesses. COEL delivers working environments designed to enhance team productivity, inspire growth and boost employee wellbeing.
Seen as an organic next step in light of the organisation’s prosperous 30 year history, it is expected that the management buy-out will streamline operations and improve profitability for the company going forward.
The transaction was led by Partner James Allen (Corporate) with assistance from David Hollier and Isabella Murray (Corporate), Rosanna Clarke (Commercial Property) and Rob Kellaway (Employment).
Alistair Rumbelow, Group CEO, commented: “I am delighted to complete the buyout of COEL alongside the rest of the management team. We look forward to building on the organisation’s strong foundations and implementing our new succession strategy, ready to take the company into a new chapter. We thank Birketts for their expert corporate knowledge and steady hand, especially given the uncertainty of the current climate.”
James Allen, Partner in Birketts’ Corporate Team, concluded: “As with all MBO transactions, COEL’s decision comes with a great deal of advantages – with highly skilled existing managers stepping up to acquire the business, they have a detailed insider understanding of the organisation and no learning curve to overcome. It was a pleasure to assist such a well-established and innovative business and we are delighted to have successfully concluded another high-level deal.”
PEM Corporate Finance also advised on the MBO.
See also: Management buy-out at COEL a sign of 'confidence,' says CEO