MANCHESTER – The specialist IT and Digital staffing firm Energize Recruitment Solutions has successfully completed a MBO. Craig Molloy, Co-founder and Managing Director of the Manchester-headquartered business has acquired the shares of fellow Co-founder Gavin Jones to become 100% shareholder in the Energize Group and its four brands. The MBO has been supported by funding from specialist lender Caple.
Through its four brands, the Energize Group provides niche IT and Digital talent to customers across five countries, offering permanent and contract recruitment solutions, as well as a ‘Talent-as-a-Service’ subscription model. Energize is renowned for providing outstanding client and candidate service and has championed Net Promoter Score® in the staffing sector. The organisation has delivered continued growth since inception in 2006, and in 2021 is on track to achieve more than £17m of revenue from c70 full-time employees. A multi award-winning business, recognised in May 2021 as the UK’s 4th ‘Best Recruitment Company to Work For’, Energize has a strategic vision to reach 250 employees by the year 2025.
The business is set to achieve the next stage of growth by expanding its offering in the current territories, with a specific focus on the United States of America and Germany. The experienced senior management team is committed to achieve the vision whilst staying true to the purpose of “world-class customer service” and “employee development”.
Providing corporate finance advice to Craig was Newcastle-based RGCF led by Partner and Head of CF Carl Swansbury, CF Director Rhiannon Nightingale, and CF Executive Tom Cosby. Transactional tax advice was provided by RG’s Simon Whiteside and Simon Hopwood. Legal counsel for Craig was provided by Partner Paul Wigham and Corporate Principal Associate Kirsty Adamson of Weightmans LLP. Providing Gavin with legal advice was Ian Brent, Partner at Fladgate LLP, with corporate financial advice via Azlan Advisory Managing Director Sohail Ahmed.
Craig Molloy said: “The MBO marks an end of an era but also a new beginning; Gavin and I together have built a very successful business over the last 15 years, and it is extremely pleasing that this transaction works well for both parties. I’d personally like to thank Gavin for helping create the business we have today and wish him and his family all the best for the future. I couldn’t be more excited to be working with the senior leadership team to achieve and execute the Group’s international expansion and growth plans.”
Gavin Jones said: “Energize has been my life for the last 15 years and I want to say thank you to everyone who has helped us create this very special brand. Craig and I started on this journey hoping to create a business that stood out in what is a crowded market, and I believe we achieved this together with a formidable team around us. I want to wish Craig and Energize the best of luck, and I have no doubt that this next phase of growth will bring many more opportunities for everyone involved.”
