The deal

FRP Corporate Finance has advised healthcare infrastructure specialists on securing an investment from BGF.

Archus, with offices in UK and Ireland including Bristol, provide a wide range of strategic and infrastructure consultancy and analytics services to health and social care organisations. They bring wider system thinking and strategy as well as detailed delivery, with end-to-end advice bringing clarity to any healthcare project. Their team of experts, including health planners, clinicians, strategic property advisors and technical specialists, develop strategies for future service delivery and implement changes to health systems, bringing an understanding of both digitisation and sustainability whilst focusing on improving patient, visitor and staff experiences.

The shareholders of Archus appointed our team at FRP Corporate Finance as lead sell-side advisers. The team, which was led by Partner Mark Naughton and supported by Director Alex Sargeant, Associate Director Freddie James and Assistant Manager Kush Kunwar marketed the business which gained significant levels of interest from private equity and trade. The team successfully negotiated and managed a competitive sales process to find a suitable investor to support and grow the existing management team.

BGF’s investment will help fund Archus’ ambitious plans for continued growth in the UK and Ireland, alongside international expansion. Following a successful launch in Ireland last year, the firm has already begun mobilisation in the Canadian and Australian markets, aligning well with the location of BGF’s established network firms, BGF Canada and BGF Australia.

Mark Naughton, Partner at FRP Corporate Finance, said: “It has been a pleasure to work with the shareholders and senior management team at Archus and help them realise their objectives, ranging from a complete exit for some of the shareholders, and gaining a significant share in the business going forward for others. The business has grown rapidly to date and now has the support of BGF to continue that growth both in the UK and overseas.”

Richard Darch, Group CEO and founder Director at Archus, said: “Since our launch in 2017, Archus has grown significantly within the UK, supporting our wide range of healthcare partners navigate ever changing and complex situations. As we address the global challenge of creating accessible and appropriate health care systems for future generations, BGF’s investment will unlock opportunities for us to impart our expertise into new territories, whilst continuing our work in the UK and Ireland.

In reaching this significant milestone for Archus I’d like to thank the team at FRP Corporate Finance for their representation of Archus shareholders throughout this process. We took early advice from Mark and the team on how to best take Archus to market for investment and this was invaluable in shaping the final transaction. FRP Corporate Finance represented the different requirements of the transaction from full exit to reinvestment which has resulted in a positive outcome for all parties. I would also like to recognise and thank the wider team of advisors, particularly Addleshaw Goddard (legal) who have made the investment possible.”

Daniel Tapson, Investor at BGF who will join the board, said: “Archus’ expertise and credibility across all aspects of healthcare infrastructure is impressive and presents an exciting growth opportunity. We’re looking forward to partnering with Archus and its excellent management team on the next phase of their growth journey.”