11th Mar 2008 07:01
B.P. Marsh & Partners PLC11 March 2008 Date: 11th March 2008On behalf of: B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc ("B. P. Marsh" or the "Company") B.P. Marsh & Partners PlcInvestment in Small Business Broker B. P. Marsh & Partners Plc (AIM: BPM), a niche venture capital provider to earlystage financial services businesses, announces that it has acquired a 35% equitystake in Amberglobe Limited ("Amberglobe") for consideration of £70,000. The Business Sales Centre, which is the trading name of Amberglobe, is a startup venture that specialises in acting for the buyers and sellers of smallbusinesses in the sub £2 million price category such as childcare centres, carehomes, corner shops, restaurants, pubs and post offices. It was founded by itsManaging Director, Rupert Cattell, who has over 20 years' experience as acorporate financier and business broker. Further information on Amberglobe isavailable via its website: www.businesssalescentre.com B. P. Marsh's investment consists of an equity investment of £70,000 and a loanfacility of £250,000, together with an agreement to provide additional loanfunding of up to £380,000, subject to conditions. B. P. Marsh financed theacquisition from existing cash resources. The funds invested will be used toaccelerate Amberglobe's growth plans. In line with the Company's investmentapproach, a B. P. Marsh director will join the Amberglobe board. Commenting on the investment, Brian Marsh OBE, B.P. Marsh's Chairman, said: "Rupert has a strong and proven track record in growing businesses and is anexperienced broker of private businesses. We are delighted to have theopportunity to invest in Amberglobe." Rupert Cattell, Managing Director of Amberglobe Limited, commented: "Our target customers are the eclectic business assortments you typically findin industrial estates outside small towns across the length and breadth of theUK. There are significant opportunities in this market and a wealth of mom andpop businesses that are too small for venture capitalists but are perfectopportunities for people wanting to buy an income or to change their lifestyle.I am delighted that Amberglobe has attracted B. P. Marsh as an investor in the Company and look forward to benefiting fromthe close relationship we will have with them as investors and on our board." - ends - For further information: B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc www.bpmarsh.co.ukBrian Marsh OBE +44 (0)20 7730 2626 Nominated AdviserNabarro Wells & Co. LimitedDavid Nabarro/Marc Cramsie +44(0) 20 7710 7400 Redleaf Communications (PR to B.P. Marsh)Emma Kane/Tom Newman +44 (0)20 7822 0200 -ends- Notes to Editors:About B.P. Marsh & Partners Plc B.P. Marsh's current portfolio contains eleven companies. More detaileddescriptions of the portfolio can be found at www.bpmarsh.co.uk. Over the past 18 years, the Company has assembled a management team withconsiderable experience both in the financial services sector and in managingprivate equity investments. Many of the directors have worked with each other inprevious roles, and all have worked with each other for at least three and ahalf years. Prior to Brian Marsh's involvement in the Company, he spent many years ininsurance broking and underwriting in Lloyd's as well as the London and overseasmarket. He has over 30 years' experience in building, buying and sellingfinancial services businesses, particularly in the insurance sector. Francis de Zulueta is the Company's Development Director. With a wide-rangingknowledge of the financial services market, he seeks out, researches andevaluates potential new investments for B.P. Marsh. Following a 23-year brokingcareer with Willis Faber and Aon, among others, he took an active interest inthe mergers, acquisitions and venture capital business of Marsh McLennan. Jonathan Newman is the Group Director of Finance and has over 10 years'experience in the financial services industry. Jonathan advises investeecompanies through several non-executive board appointments and evaluates newinvestment opportunities. Robert King is a Director and Group Company Secretary. He joined B.P. Marsh inMay 2003 having started his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Since joining B.P. Marsh he has taken on responsibility for the Group's legal, compliance andsecretarial functions and played a key role in the flotation of the Company. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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