Clearwater has advised employment law, HR and health and safety provider Ellis Whittam on its sale to Marlowe Plc (Marlowe). The sale will mark a successful exit for the founder, Mark Ellis, and for minority shareholder Private Equity firm LDC.
Founded in 2004 by solicitor Mark Ellis, Ellis Whittam provides employment law, HR and safety support to over 35,000 UK employers, including businesses, schools, religious organisations, charities and membership associations. Ellis Whittam employs c.200 people and has a head office in Aldford, Chester as well as offices in Glasgow and London. LDC acquired a minority stake in the business in 2016 and will exit on completion of the deal.
Marlowe is a specialist services group focused on the development of businesses which assure the safety and regulatory compliance of their clients with respect to both property and people. The business is listed on the London Stock Exchange with a market capitalisation of over €326m (£300m). In a short space of time it has built a group of businesses comprising of health and safety compliance, software, water treatment and hygiene, fire safety and security and air quality and testing services.
Ellis Whittam will benefit significantly from further investment and opportunity to collaborate closely with new colleagues as the two businesses look to take advantage of each other’s strengths in delivering an even better service for clients.
