Barclays leads Solar Home Energy BIMBO

Solar Home Energy, which installs domestic solar hot water systems, and loft insulation specialist Warmroof have been bought for a total of £10 million by a management team backed by Barclays Ventures.

The team includes new managing director Arun Sahajpal and finance director Martin Jackson, as well as existing sales director Robin Tarrant-Willis.

Before the sale, the two companies were owned by the same shareholders, but run as separate businesses. Now they will be run as a group by the new management team which also includes John Oddi, former managing director of double glazing business Crystal Windows.

Barclays Ventures, which is wholly funded and owned by the eponymous bank, invested in the buy-in management buy-out (BIMBO) alongside Invex Capial Partners. The institutional investors have collectively taken a majority stake in the Bournemouth-based group, which has a combined turnover of around £20 million and employs 100 staff.

Senior debt for the transaction was provided by Bank of Ireland, and the buy-in team was advised by corporate finance specialist Watersheds, which introduced them to the deal.

Solar Home Energy’s systems use solar panels to provide up to 70 per cent of a typical UK household’s annual hot water requirements, according to the company.

Warmroof installs spray foam loft insulation, which has the dual function of increasing energy efficiency and repairing roof damage.

Marc Barber

Marc Barber

Marc was editor of GrowthBusiness from 2006 to 2010. He specialised in writing about entrepreneurs, private equity and venture capital, mid-market M&A, small caps and high-growth businesses.

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