Cura Terrae brings together market-leading environmental services businesses

A new environmental service group, Cura Terrae, has been formed, bringing together three market-leading businesses: Ecus, Environmental Monitoring Solutions (EMS) and Envirocare.

Collectively, the businesses employ almost 240 people, but this number is set to increase to 300 this year amid strong organic growth. The combined revenues of the group will be around £18m. The development is a result of investment by Palatine Private Equity’s Impact Fund.

A team at PKF Francis Clark – comprising partner and head of corporate finance Andrew Killick, transaction services director Sam Phillips and corporate finance associate Matt Pearce – supported the transaction by carrying out financial vendor due diligence.

Sam and his team were efficient, thorough and expert in their data gathering and analysis, quickly developing an understanding of the businesses and sector. They added value through their speed of delivery… and through the quality and thoroughness of their outputs in informing potential investors.

Headquartered in Sheffield, Cura Terrae is led by experienced entrepreneur Professor Pete Skipworth, who sees a significant opportunity to build a leading nationwide consultancy in a fragmented marketplace for environmental services.

“We live in an age of climate crisis, so it has never been more important to help our clients understand and comply with environmental regulations, manage their carbon output, improve air quality, minimise urban flooding, or protect the delicate balance between development and the environment,” said Prof Skipworth.

“Cura Terrae’s mission is to offer services and solutions to help take care of the Earth, and help our clients work towards a more sustainable future. I believe the formation of this group brings together the skills, expertise and passion needed to achieve our shared goals.”

Sam said: “By combining the strengths of Ecus, EMS and Envirocare in one business, Cura Terrae is well placed to deliver synergies and invest in growth.

“In a deal like this, where multiple businesses are being acquired, part of the challenge is getting a clear view of the relative valuations. We were pleased to provide reassurance to the investors by bringing together different datasets from the three companies and presenting them in a consistent way. We were also able to help demonstrate normal profitability levels, seeing through the exceptional impact of Covid.

“We’re pleased to see this deal come to fruition after months of hard work by all involved and wish the combined team every success.”

Prof Skipworth added: “Sam and his team were efficient, thorough and expert in their data gathering and analysis, quickly developing an understanding of the businesses and sector. They added value through their speed of delivery, in line with process timescales, and through the quality and thoroughness of their outputs in informing potential investors.”

Ecus provides holistic environmental consultancy services to support the development of UK infrastructure. Services include air quality, arboriculture, carbon services, ecology, environmental services, habitats, heritage and archaeology, landscape architecture and water services.

EMS provides environmental consultancy services and monitoring solutions to help clients meet and maintain environmental compliance, improve efficiency and manage environmental impact.

Envirocare offers stack emissions testing and occupational hygiene consultancy.

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