Clearwater advises Zenzero on its sale to Macquarie Capital Principal Finance

Transaction

Zenzero sold to Macquarie Capital

Sell-side

Undisclosed

Role

Adviser to Zenzero on its sale to Macquarie Capital Principal Finance

Sector

Tech & Tech Services

Region

United Kingdom

Clearwater has advised Fordhouse-backed Zenzero, a leading Microsoft-focused IT managed service provider, on its sale to Macquarie Capital Principal Finance (Macquarie).

Zenzero is a platform which combines next generation IT managed services, with leading technology capabilities, serving as a one-stop-shop for customers. The company provides future-ready managed IT, cyber, data and digital services, enabling a broader and more differentiated offering to SME and mid-market customers.

Over the last three years, Zenzero has significantly expanded its capabilities and customer reach, through strategic acquisitions and market leading organic growth. The new partnership with Macquarie Capital will boost this growth potential, by providing both flexible growth capital and expertise. The investment represents a full realisation for Fordhouse Capital LLP who invested in Zenzero in 2020.

Our new partnership with Macquarie provides us with the firepower we need to deliver ambitious investment in our growth, people, and further acquisitions. The ability to complete a rapid and targeted process over the summer months was a credit to Wes and Finn from Clearwater, combined with a huge amount of effort from Oli Gee, Zenzero’s CFO. Clearwater know the ITMS market intimately, that knowledge combined with deal-doing expertise provided real value to Zenzero and Fordhouse before and during the process.
Michael Bateman, CEO, Zenzero

We specialise in taking owner-operated businesses into the mid-market and Clearwater’s advice on deal strategy was highly tailored to supporting that journey and the great outcome for Zenzero and the team. We look for genuine partnerships, in both the businesses we invest in and the advisors we work with, and Clearwater deeply understood the importance of this transaction and really rolled-up their sleeves to help us get this deal over the line in a short timeframe. Overall, the transaction went quickly and smoothly and reflects very well on all parties involved.
Freddie Bellhouse, Partner, Fordhouse

In a more challenging deal environment, deep sector expertise and deal craft are critical to outperforming the market. Having advised on some of the leading transactions in the ITMS space over the last 24 months, we were delighted Fordhouse and management selected us to advise them on this important transaction. We’ve been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the best teams in the sector, and Michael and Oli certainly rank amongst the most talented. Having built a truly next-gen platform from the ground-up in partnership with Fordhouse, the potential for Zenzero is huge alongside Macquarie, an investor that mirrors the team’s vision and ambition to redefine the ITMS landscape.
Wesley Fell-Smith, Head of Technology, Clearwater