Improve International / RJD Partners and Management

Cavendish advises Benchmark Holdings plc on its strategic exit of global continuing veterinary education provider Improve International to RJD Partners and Improve Management. The deal showcases Cavendish’s expertise in both corporate disposals and the global education and training sector.

Cavendish Corporate Finance, the UK’s leading sell-side mid-market M&A firm, has advised aquaculture genetics, health and specialist nutrition business Benchmark Holdings plc on its sale of Improve International, a global provider of continuing education to the veterinary sector, to RJD Partners and the Improve management team.

Under the terms of the disposal, Benchmark will receive a total cash consideration of up to £12.75m. RJD has taken a majority stake in the business investing alongside Improve’s management team led by Chief Executive, Heber Alves and original founder David Babington. Improve provides both specialist postgraduate courses and qualifications as well as continuing professional development training to veterinary professionals. Its key programmes are structured on a modular basis comprising both face-to-face practical and classroom learning as well as online delivery. Training is delivered directly in eight countries and through license partners in a further six. Its fully online distance learning propositions reach a global audience.

Cavendish has extensive experience in both the global education and training sector and in advising listed corporates on disposals of non-core activities. Corporate disposals completed by the firm in 2019 included fine wine merchant Lay & Wheeler for Naked Wines, award-winning broadcast post production business The Farm by WPP and four business as part of Centaur Media’s strategic divestment programme.

The Cavendish team for Benchmark was led by Andrew Jeffs, Partner, Business Services, Joe Stelzer, Consultant and Rebecca McCredie, Associate Director.

James Banfield, Head of Knowledge Services, Benchmark, commented: “I would thoroughly recommend Andrew and Rebecca and the Cavendish team to anyone looking to maximise the proceeds from a disposal or asset sale. The Cavendish team are both consummate professionals, focused on delivery and pragmatic and flexible in their approach to helping their clients achieve their objectives. I would not hesitate to recommend them and would hope to work with them on future projects. They provide great value.”

Andrew Jeffs, Partner, Business Services at Cavendish Corporate Finance, commented: “We are delighted to have advised on this disposal, which is an important step in Benchmark’s strategy to exit non-core areas to focus on its key disciplines, and further strengthens their financial position and liquidity. RJD Partners with their track record in education and training are the ideal partner for Heber and the Improve team. We expect to see many more deals in the sector as investment for digital delivery is accelerated by the imperative to respond to the impact of COVID-19.”

“TC Group have a fantastic business model and brilliant management team, which combined with Inflexion’s sector and M&A experience, puts us in a great position to help accelerate its already impressive growth. We look forward to working with the team to seize the market opportunity together.”

Malcolm Coffin, Partner and Head of Enterprise Fund at Inflexion

“We are delighted to have found a perfect match to drive the growth of the Company we founded in 2005. After a rigorous sale process, we have no doubt that Davidson Kempner/Pithos Capital will continue to develop the Company as the UK’s largest independent self-storage provider and we look forward to following its progress.”

The finnCap Cavendish team, led by Nehal Patel, did a fantastic job, running a truly competitive process and managing the transaction with great skill. They were instrumental in delivering this deal and the successful outcome.”

Keith Taylor and Cathy Taylor, Co-Founders, UK Storage Company Ltd

“The finnCap Cavendish team did a great job of running a competitive process to establish the best transaction options available for our stakeholders. They were instrumental in delivering the Talan deal and were a pleasure to work with.”

Alex Goody, CEO, Gemserv

“The finnCap Cavendish team has achieved a truly outstanding result for our Shareholders. Their knowledge of our business, the sector and the buyer landscape, as well as their commitment throughout to the process, was critical to our success.”

Steve Beckitt, Founder-CEO, SourceBreaker

“I could not be prouder to be joining the Otonomo team. This is a big, bold step that brings us closer to our vision of safer and smarter mobility for all. Our clients and partners, some of the leading insurers of the world, will have access to a significant and unique set of data products, tools and resources to help them compete and thrive in a connected new world ahead.

We really appreciated Cavendish’s excellent advice, their understanding of the business and getting the best outcome for the company by driving the process.”

Aldo Monteforte, CEO of The Floow

Over the last 16 years, we’ve grown to become the biggest search firm in the world dedicated to executive search in sports and entertainment, working in partnership with brands and wonderful clients across more than 20 countries and in every major sports league. Today, we join with Excel, enhancing our ability to see our clients achieve their fullest potential both on and off the field.

The finnCap Cavendish team played a critical role in helping us to secure the right partner and home for our business. The team’s recruitment sector expertise and commitment throughout the deal was second to none, I would have no hesitation in recommending them to other business owners considering M&A.”

Paul Nolan, Founder-CEO, Nolan Partners

“I have loved working with Andrew, Ben and Hugh at Cavendish! Hamilton Fraser is more than just a company to me. For me to sell, any deal had to deliver value but also see the business find a great new home. Cavendish always listened and provided their advice on these points and how best to achieve what I was looking for. I am delighted to have found the perfect partner in GRP with their support.”

Eddie Hooker, CEO, Hamilton Fraser

“We are delighted with the support received from the finnCap Cavendish team throughout this process. Mike and the team ensured that we prepared meticulously, identified the right pool of potential investors and worked closely with us, the management team and our legal advisers to deliver a great outcome for the Shareholders. We wish the Intelling team and RDCP all the best in their next phase of growth.”

Karl Cockwill, Portfolio Director, NVM

“This transaction is a hugely important step in the company’s development, strongly positioning the business for its next phase of growth, allowing us to meet the growing need for secondary school students to learn in an independent, fluid and remote manner.”

Anthony Coxon, Co-Founder, GCSEPod

“Cortland shares our core values and our customers focus, and their additional resources will help us accelerate our growth in the UK market.”

Nigel Burnand, Managing Director, Qdime