Sons step up in fire firm management buy-out
FIRE protection specialist commy two sons who will work alongside pany R Lewis & Co (UK) has Craig as the next generation responsibeen acquired in a manageble for leading R Lewis & Co.” ment buy-out that sees the founder’s Chris Lewis said: “We take great sons taking over the business. veys, fire stopping, fire engineering pride in our work and it is testament
Established in 1997 by Roger Lewis, and consultancy, intumescent coatto my father’s leadership that Craig, Cardiff-based R Lewis & Co is a proings, fire doors and specialist coatJonathan and I are now ready to lead vider of passive fire protection soluings. our excellent team as we embark on tions. Roger Lewis said: “With over 25 the next stage of our journey.
Mr Lewis will remain as managing years of experience in passive fire “We’re excited about the future and director with a minority shareholding protection, we continue to invest in look forward to growing our services to ensure a smooth transition to sons skills and knowledge to improve the and our team with the ongoing supChris and Jonathan Lewis along with overall performance of our UK-wide port of my father as managing direcfellow directortor.”CraigCleveland.Asix-services. figure loan has been provided by the “Growing a business is a journey Matthew Wilde, of the DevelopDevelopment Bank of Wales. and I’ve always been very clear about ment Bank of Wales, said: “Roger and
With turnover in excess of £5.3m, R my destination – bringing on and the team have built a very successful Lewis & Co employs some 80 staff developing an excellent senior manbusiness that benefits from an excepand has a nationwide customer base agement team who now have the tional reputation. that includes Wilmott Dixon, Kier, opportunity to take our business for“Succession management is all Bouygues and the NHS. Services ward. I’m very proud of all that we about forward planning; investing in include passive fire protection sur- have achieved and delighted that it is the right people and taking the time to coach and mentor them so that the transition is seamless.
“Our funding will help to ensure the continuity of the business, with a phased approach to the handover from Roger to Chris, Jonathan and Craig over the next few years. We are delighted to have the opportunity to help facilitate this vendor-initiated management buy-out and support them on their journey.”
Mark Hislop, of Advantage Accountancy, advised Roger Lewis, with Blake Morgan acting for the Development Bank of Wales.
Mr Hislop said: “Having acted for Roger since 2016, I have been pleased to support the development of this award-winning and consistently profitable business. With a clear exit strategy, Roger has worked hard to implement a successful succession plan.”