Myerson Solicitors Advises Safer Sphere on Partial Management Buyout

Myerson Solicitors has advised leading construction and building safety solutions provider Safer Sphere on the successful completion of a partial management buyout (MBO), supported by a seven-figure funding package from HSBC UK.

Headquartered in St Helens, Safer Sphere has utilised funding from HSBC UK to facilitate an ownership succession plan, under which founder Mike Forsyth and Angelique Forsyth reduced their combined ownership interest from 51% to 26%, with a 25% stake in the business transferring to the senior leadership team.

The Employee Benefit Trust (EBT), which has held a 49% interest in the business since 2020, will continue to retain its shareholding following the transaction.

Following completion of the MBO, the business will continue to be led by Mike Forsyth in his role as Chairman, supported by the senior leadership team comprising Lewis Duff (Managing Director), Graham King (Operations Director), Emma Gradwell (People & Performance Director) and Zoe Chiocci (Finance Director).

Myerson advised Safer Sphere on all legal aspects of the transaction. The Myerson team was led by M. Akeel Latif, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial, supported by Simon Nolan, Senior Associate and Palma Percze, Associate Solicitor.

The transaction was supported by a wider advisory team including Jeremy Cole, Partner at Cole Associates (Corporate Finance), Tom Larkin, Tax Director at JS (Accountants and Business Advisors) and Sonio Singh, Partner at Davis Blank Furniss.

With over 80 employees nationwide, the leadership team will focus on accelerating growth and expanding the business’s range of services, including the rollout of a new building safety occupation solutions offering.

Founded in 2012, Safer Sphere delivers construction and building safety solutions nationwide. The business specialises in Construction Design and Management under the CDM 2015 Regulations, alongside Building Safety consultancy aligned with the Building Safety Act 2022 and associated legislation. Its services include Principal Designer and Advisor roles, Client Advisor support, Building Regulations consultancy and a broad range of additional construction and building safety services.

Mike Forsyth, Founder and Chairman of Safer Sphere, commented: “The Corporate team at Myerson Solicitors supported completion in a tight time frame with the utmost professionalism and diligence. They coordinated and cooperated seamlessly with the wider advisors and stakeholders, ensuring full protection and compliance with the transaction. We have worked with Myerson on a number of legal aspects for over 5 years, and would highly recommend their services.”

M. Akeel Latif, at Myerson Solicitors, added:

“We are delighted to have advised our longstanding client, Safer Sphere, on this important transaction. The management buyout marks an exciting new chapter for the business and reflects the strength of the leadership team and the company’s continued growth ambitions. It was a pleasure to work alongside the wider advisory team to deliver a successful outcome, and we look forward to supporting Safer Sphere as it continues its development in the years ahead.”

With one of the largest corporate teams outside the major city centres in the North West and a Tier 1 ranking in The Legal 500, Myerson is recognised for its expertise in advising on management buyouts, succession planning, shareholder arrangements and other complex corporate transactions for businesses across the UK.