Law firm Shoosmiths has advised the management team of Babington Group (Babington), the skills and corporate training business, on their MBO, backed by private equity firm RJD Partners (RJD).
Founded in 1974, Babington employs more than 300 staff, and operates in the fast-growing technical and professional training sector, providing government-funded apprenticeship training in areas including accountancy, financial services and digital marketing, as well as privately funded programmes including leadership and management. It currently works with around 12,000 learners per annum, with its head office in the East Midlands, and delivery nationwide.
RJD’s investment will help support Babington’s next phase of growth, as it continues to strengthen its position in the training market.
Shoosmiths’ corporate partner Sanjeev Sharma, senior associate Iain Butler and solicitor Aleksandr Bosch advised Babington’s management team on all equity elements of the deal. Banking partner Shaun McCabe and solicitor Victoria Sham provided banking advice.
Carole Carson, chief executive at Babington, said: ‘Shoosmiths really impressed us with their knowledge and expertise and throughout the transaction we felt that the client service given to us by Sanjeev and his team was superb. Their commitment and focus was outstanding.’
Shoosmiths’ corporate team advises public and private companies, management teams, investors and debt providers through the business life cycle. Shoosmiths work with businesses from start-up and first round finance through to mergers and acquisitions, MBO and MBI transactions, development funding and on exits, by way of sale, listing or private equity investment.
Nationally, the corporate team is ranked in joint first place by deal volume in Experian’s UK Deal Review and Advisor League Table. The team was recognised for its mergers and acquisitions expertise at the 2015 M&A Awards, winning the Law Firm of the Year category.