BB7 has been on a significant journey. What began as a specialist fire safety consultancy has evolved into the UK’s leading fire and facade engineering platform, operating at the premium end of a market that has become more regulated, more complex and more critical than ever.
During BGF’s investment period, BB7 shifted from a successful niche consultancy into a national platform with scale, depth and clear strategic momentum. The business now operates from ten offices, employs nearly 200 people and is trusted by clients across the built environment to help them manage risk, meet increasingly stringent regulations and design safer, more resilient buildings.
The sale to Certania Group represents the next step in that journey. It provides BB7 with a larger platform within which to grow, while preserving the culture, independence and purpose that sit at the heart of its success.
Riding a wave of regulatory change with the right platform
In the wake of significant regulatory change, the fire and facade engineering landscape has shifted rapidly. Organisations across the built environment are facing more complex safety frameworks and greater scrutiny, with higher expectations around assurance, documentation and accountability.
BB7’s response has been to double down on what it does best. The business supports clients across the full building lifecycle, from early stage design through to ongoing risk management. Its teams work as an integrated solution across these stages, bringing that same depth of technical expertise and consistency of service throughout.
This has positioned BB7 at the trusted, premium end of the market. For clients, the choice is not simply about cost, it is about trust, quality and confidence that their adviser will deliver work that stands up to regulatory and legal scrutiny. BB7’s long term relationships and strong reputation reflect that positioning.
Building a platform around people, expertise and culture
BGF invested in BB7 in 2019, funding follow-on acquisitions and supporting the creation of the platform in its current form. From the outset, this was a people and culture story as much as a growth story.
Alongside founder and CEO Ben Bradford, the business brought in new senior leaders, including a chair, CFO and COO, who combined deep sector understanding with experience of scaling specialist professional services businesses. The elevation of the Head of HR to Chief People Officer, and onto the board, signalled how central people strategy is to BB7’s model.
Fire engineering and facade safety are knowledge-intensive disciplines. Clients choose BB7 for the depth of their technical expertise and the confidence that comes from working with fire science specialists who understand regulation in detail. Many of their people have grown up inside the business, progressing from graduates to senior experts while being trained by leaders who are recognised in their field.
Rather than changing the culture, the partnership with BGF allowed the existing vision to be delivered at greater scale. The management team focused on hiring and retaining the best people, investing in training and development, and maintaining a clear, values-led culture in a highly competitive talent market.
Riding a wave of regulatory change with the right platform
In the wake of significant regulatory change, the fire and facade engineering landscape has shifted rapidly. Organisations across the built environment are facing more complex safety frameworks and greater scrutiny, with higher expectations around assurance, documentation and accountability.
BB7’s response has been to double down on what it does best. The business supports clients across the full building lifecycle, from early stage design through to ongoing risk management. Its teams work as an integrated solution across these stages, bringing that same depth of technical expertise and consistency of service throughout.
This has positioned BB7 at the trusted, premium end of the market. For clients, the choice is not simply about cost, it is about trust, quality and confidence that their adviser will deliver work that stands up to regulatory and legal scrutiny. BB7’s long term relationships and strong reputation reflect that positioning.
Selective M&A in a people-first model
Unlike some other TICC segments where acquisitions are primarily about buying contract books and folding them in, BB7’s growth strategy has had to respect the fact that its value sits inside its people.
The acquisitions completed with BGF’s backing, such as Omega Fire in Manchester and Goldsmith Engineering in Ireland, were chosen carefully. They brought scale, additional client relationships, access to new markets and international presence, particularly in Dublin and Belfast. Crucially, they also brought teams whose ethos and culture aligned with BB7’s own.
This more selective approach reflects the higher risk of acquiring people based businesses and the importance of cultural alignment and shared vision. Looking ahead, there is an opportunity for BB7 to broaden further into adjacent services, such as building control and other specialist compliance capabilities, while keeping people and culture at the centre.
Clients choose BB7 for the depth of their technical expertise and the confidence that comes from working with fire science specialists who understand regulation in detail.
A purpose-led B Corp with strong market recognition
Under BGF’s ownership, BB7 also became a B Corp and secured Best Companies recognition. This formalised a long standing focus on sustainability, responsible practice and positive impact, both in how the business operates and in how it works with clients.
Internally, BB7 has undertaken carbon reduction reporting, financed carbon reduction initiatives and completed double materiality assessments to understand ESG opportunities and risks. Externally, its teams advise on low carbon materials, long term resilience in building design, reuse of existing structures and waste reduction.
For a growing number of purpose led clients, this alignment really matters. BB7’s B Corp status and ESG approach have supported both talent attraction and client engagement, strengthening its reputation as a consultancy that cares deeply about the impact of its work.
Why Certania Group was the right partner for the next phase
BGF’s typical investment horizon meant that, after five to six years of strong growth and increased scale, it was the right time to consider an exit. The market backdrop was attractive, the business had grown significantly, and buyers were ready to pay up for the scarcity value of the platform.
At the same time, we helped BB7 develop a targeted M&A pipeline to support its future growth strategy. This pipeline brought the buy and build opportunity to life for potential buyers and allowed management to speak credibly about the next phase of consolidation.
Our Debt Advisory team engaged a focused group of lenders, all of whom responded positively with credit approved terms, signalling strong support for the business and the transaction structure.
Our Modelling and Data Analytics specialists built a tailored financial model that translated BB7’s strategic plan into clear, robust forecasts. The model helped buyers understand the drivers of performance, test sensitivities and validate the long term growth case.
From an ESG perspective, our team completed a comprehensive Health Check, using BB7’s B Corp journey to highlight the company’s environmental and social impact. They helped define KPIs and metrics and embedded BB7’s ESG strategy within the overall positioning.
Certania Group, a European TICC platform, emerged as a compelling strategic partner. A key part of the attraction was the balance they offered between independence and integration. Ben Bradford will continue to run BB7 and will assume the role of CEO for Certania Group’s Buildings and Infrastructure Division. This allows him to preserve the BB7 brand and culture, while also gaining access to a broader platform, cross selling opportunities and support for a more ambitious buy and build strategy.
For a people-led business, this balance is critical. Founders who have invested decades in building a culture and reputation rarely want to see that disappear inside a larger corporate. Certania’s proposition offered BB7 scale and support without diluting identity.
Clearwater’s role: integrated advice for a people focused, ESG led business
We advised BGF and BB7 on the sale to Certania Group, drawing on expertise from across our M&A, Debt Advisory, Modelling and Data Analytics, and ESG experts. From the client’s perspective this felt like one integrated team, with colleagues collaborating closely and sharing insight throughout the process.
Our M&A team shaped the transaction from the outset, focusing on preparation, data and narrative. Early work on key data sets strengthened the equity story, ensuring that BB7’s growth, quality of earnings and market position were clearly evidenced.
Managing strong interest from both private equity and trade buyers, we created competitive tension that supported value and allowed for positive negotiations.
At the same time, we helped BB7 develop a targeted M&A pipeline to support its future growth strategy. This pipeline brought the buy and build opportunity to life for potential buyers and allowed management to speak credibly about the next phase of consolidation.
Our Debt Advisory team engaged a focused group of lenders, all of whom responded positively with credit approved terms, signalling strong support for the business and the transaction structure.
Our Modelling and Data Analytics specialists built a tailored financial model that translated BB7’s strategic plan into clear, robust forecasts. The model helped buyers understand the drivers of performance, test sensitivities and validate the long term growth case.
From an ESG perspective, our team completed a comprehensive Health Check, using BB7’s B Corp journey to highlight the company’s environmental and social impact. They helped define KPIs and metrics and embedded BB7’s ESG strategy within the overall positioning.
Positioning BB7 and Certania for long term success
As part of Certania Group, BB7 now has the opportunity to accelerate what it has already been doing successfully. The priority will be to integrate BB7 with other complementary businesses within the Buildings and Infrastructure Division, to create a cohesive group and unlock more cross selling opportunities.
With greater financial backing and strategic support, BB7 can pursue more ambitious M&A, expand into adjacent services and deepen its relationships with clients who are seeking trusted, long term fire and facade engineering partners.
Clearwater: supporting people led, specialist consultancies through change
This transaction reinforces our experience in advising specialist consultancies and TICC businesses that sit at the intersection of regulation, risk and the built environment. These are often people heavy, culture driven organisations where value depends on reputation, technical expertise and long term relationships, as much as on financial metrics.
Ready to talk?
Whether you are considering an exit or looking for a partner to support a buy and build strategy, our team would be pleased to talk.
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