Limerston Capital Partners I, L.P. announce the acquisition of Forensic Access and Axiom International

Immediate release

2nd September 2020

Limerston Capital LLP (“Limerston Capital”) is pleased to announce the simultaneous acquisition, by Limerston Capital Partners I, L.P., of Forensis Group Limited and Forensic Axis Limited, (trading respectively as Forensic Access and Axiom International (together the “Businesses”)). These are two established businesses in forensic science services and international institutional reform and capacity building.    

Operating from state-of-the art facilities in Wantage (Oxfordshire), Forensic Access was established by Professor Angela Gallop in 1986 to provide high quality advice and guidance, and cutting edge science across all sectors of criminal and private sector justice.  Forensic Access has since evolved to provide a comprehensive range of forensic science services both in the UK and internationally, with particular expertise in firearms and ballistics, fingerprints, forensic biology and DNA, animal forensics and a wide range of niche forensic and medico-legal capabilities.

With its headquarters in London, Axiom International operates globally, delivering imaginative, sustainable solutions in the fields of strategic capacity building, institutional and public sector reform, justice and peacebuilding, and national security development. It delivers these services in some of the world’s most challenging regions. 

Benefiting from investment by Limerston, the Businesses will now form the basis of a new international criminal justice services provider offering the very best of British forensic science, criminal justice and national security expertise to police forces, legal professionals and governments worldwide.

Management and founders will retain a significant minority shareholding as part of the transaction and will work with Limerston Capital to accelerate the growth of the Businesses, both organically and via carefully considered acquisitions that bring additional forensic and criminal justice specialisms and capabilities.

James Paget, and João Rosa, Founding Partners at Limerston, said “We are delighted we have been able to acquire Axiom International and Forensic Access, which we identified as strong businesses with outstanding international reputations in the provision of forensic and criminal justice services.  We look forward to working with Angela Gallop and her team to accelerate the growth of the Businesses, both organically and through acquisitions”.

Angela Gallop, CEO of Forensis Group and Forensic Axis said “We are very excited to be partnering with Limerston Capital and look forward to working alongside them to help build the leading criminal justice services business based in the UK.  Over the years, we have established a formidable reputation for quality, innovation and service delivery. Together with Limerston we have a uniquely powerful opportunity to expand and invest in other high calibre forensic, and national security and justice businesses to achieve this ambition – both in the UK and worldwide”.

Limerston Capital was advised by Cohen & Gresser and KPMG LLP.  Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advised Limerston Capital on the financing. 

Management and the selling shareholders were advised by Strata Partners and Freeths LLP.

About Limerston Capital

Founded in 2015, London based Limerston Capital pursues control investments in UK lower mid-market companies and seeks to create value through the firm’s operationally focused model.  The firm targets businesses with EBITDA of between £5 million and £15 million, that have a solid value proposition, but have potential for operational improvements, have mispriced underlying returns on capital or provide opportunities for strategic repositioning and consolidation. 

Forensis Group and Forensic Axis are the fifth platform investment in the current portfolio of Limerston Capital Partners I, L.P., following the successful acquisitions of AdviserPlus, Arch Sciences Group (formerly Crawford Scientific), Prism Medical Healthcare and Patricia White’s Country Cousins.

For more information, please contact:

Martim Avillez

Limerston Capital Founding Partner

martim.avillez@limerstoncap.com

ends (02/09/20)