Humphrey M&E Consultants becomes employee-owned

We’re pleased to have acted as lead adviser to Humphrey M&E Consultants (HME), a North East-based building services consultancy, on its sale to an employee ownership trust (EOT).

HME was founded in Gosforth in 1983 by Managing Director Micheal Bainbridge and is now headquartered in Boldon.

The consultancy offers specialist mechanical and electrical building services nationally, across a broad range of sectors to both corporate and public sector customers. Recent successes have included leading on the design of ULEV charging point installations to provide the MoD with a national electric vehicle charging network.

Our Corporate Finance team led by Partner Phil Williams helped manage the transaction from start to finish, including advising on the feasibility of this type of sale.

As part of the company’s long term succession strategy, a decision was made to transition to employee ownership with 50% of the business now placed in the hands of HME’s 20 employees. Day-to-day management of the company will continue under the directors, headed by Managing Director, Michael Bainbridge.

Phil Williams, Partner at FRP Corporate Finance, commented: “HME is built upon the excellence and commitment of a highly qualified and loyal workforce. Employee ownership therefore represents the ideal ownership structure to ensure the business thrives long into the future. We were delighted to work closely with the HME team to help put that structure in place.”

Michael Bainbridge, Managing Director of HME, said: “The transition of the company to become employee-owned is part of a long-term succession plan. High quality, hard-working and talented people have always been at the heart of HME. The move reinforces our commitment to our employees and customers and allows our staff to share in the company’s success and actively participate in its future direction.”