Blue Group

Clearwater are clear cut in recognising the advantages of selling the Blue Group as two separate businesses: construction and health and social care, making each a more attractive package to niche recruitment companies and increasing return.

Blue Group International Ltd specialises in the placement of permanent workers to the construction sector and of social workers and care professionals to the public, private and voluntary sectors. The group was founded in 1999 and with a £45 million turnover soon established itself as one of the fastest growing recruitment companies in the UK.

Clearwater advised on the division and sale of Blue Group International, selling Bluetec to Morson plc and Bluecare Medical/Social Care to HCL plc (formerly known as Healthcare Locums plc). The sale allows Gresham Private Equity, previous stakeholder, to exit its 2001 investment in the group.

Clearwater identified selling the Group as two separate businesses which required a very focused process with detailed, advanced preparation of both interested parties and due diligence requirements. The deal exceeded our client’s expectations and completed within the deadlines set.

CEO John Zafar commented:

"Clearwater gave us complete confidence in their approach from the offset.  From a management point of view, they felt like a part of the team straight away, both allowing us to contribute to the process whilst providing expertise and support as appropriate. In addition they understood the sectors in which we operated and their quality project management meant they were able to handle two complex disposals to different trade buyers within a limited timeframe."