Case Studies

Case Study: Identec strengthens cyber resilience with tailored health check

Identec is a specialist engineering consultancy based in North East England, providing bespoke control and automation solutions to clients across the manufacturing and industrial sectors.

Case Study: Farming family’s acquisition almost doubles size of poultry operation

A long-standing family farm business has almost doubled the size of its poultry operation following the acquisition of a second ready made site. 

Case Study: Game developer Facepunch strengthens cyber defences

Facepunch is a fast-growing independent game development studio based in Birmingham with almost 100 staff, many of whom work remotely. The company, which created popular Steam games Garry’s Mod and Rust, wanted to strengthen its cyber security measures.

Case Study: Genesis Brands Limited sold to French flooring specialist Gerflor

North Yorkshire-based Genesis Brand Limited, a well-established supplier of finishing profiles and specialist tools for the construction industry,  boasts a significant global presence with its products available in more than 70 countries worldwide.

Case Study: Heatons – a healthy attitude to financial wellbeing

Heatons is one of the largest single source business suppliers in the UK, offering a range of products and services to cater for many business needs.

Established in the Wirral in 1986 by David Heaton Fielding as Heaton Stationery Limited, the business rapidly established itself a firm foothold in the North West and has continued to expand over the years.

Case Study: Coventry City of Culture Trust administration

Coventry’s year as the UK City of Culture was run by Coventry City of Culture Trust, a registered charity and company limited by guarantee.

The trust had planned a three-year legacy arts and culture programme to ensure a long-lasting benefit for the local community, including The Reel Store digital art gallery, and received government funding as well as a number of grants to support the its activities.

Case Study: Liquidation of outdoor equipment retailer produces better-than-expected returns to creditors

Background

The directors of a company selling outdoor equipment approached Armstrong Watson for advice after experiencing financial problems. The company sold goods from two shops and online. The increase in UK-based tourism during the months of restricted travel due to Covid-19 led to a period of healthy profits.

Case Study: Meldrum construction company built on integrity

Dave Meldrum, CEO, of Meldrum Construction Services Group Ltd (Meldrum Group), set up his business with a desire to do something different. He started out in 2001 as a standing start with three other guys in a van. Now, the firm employs more than 220 people and has a targeted turnover in 2024 of £70m.

Case Study: Pre-liquidation sale of assets by directors

Background

Gone South Limited operated a number of bars in the Leeds and Harrogate areas. It had always been profitable apart from the two years when hospitality was heavily impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company managed to improve its performance post pandemic but unfortunately a number of connected companies entered administration in early 2024. This resulted in the company’s bank putting it on notice of the intention to enforce a cross-company guarantee, leaving Gone South Ltd unable to meet its debt repayment obligations.

Case Study: Corporate Finance Team supports acquisition of R & A Kay Inspection Services by BES Group

Background

R & A Kay Inspections Services (Rak) is a leading inspection services company catering for onshore oil and gas, petrochemical, industrial gases, chemicals and utilities sector. With its headquarters in Teesside, the business, which was formed in 1984 and then acquired by Executive Chairman Duncan Jarrett in 2007, supports blue chip clients in the UK and Europe with their inspection requirements. The team has built a solid reputation with some of the most skilled and experienced engineers in the country.