The PC Support Group

Creating a competitive process to secure the right value and right buyer for a highly successful managed IT Services provider

Founded by Simon Albert in 2006, The PC Support Group is a multi-award-winning provider of fully managed IT support solutions to businesses.

Over almost two decades, the Liverpool-based business built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality IT services, supported by loyal clients and an experienced team.

As the shareholders considered the future of the business, they wanted to explore the market through a competitive sale process that would maximise value while ensuring they found a buyer whose values aligned with their own.

The future of the business and the impact of any transaction on clients, employees and suppliers were important considerations, making the right strategic fit just as significant as achieving a strong financial outcome.

 “Jacob was professional, responsive and easy to deal with throughout. He took time to understand the business, what mattered to us as shareholders, and the sort of buyer we wanted.”

Simon Albert, Founder, The PC Support Group

Running a competitive sale process and advising through complex negotiations

The shareholders instructed KBS Corporate to undertake a comprehensive research and marketing campaign designed to generate strong interest from prospective acquirers and create a competitive process.

Jacob Lord, Associate Director at KBS Corporate, led the transaction, advising the shareholders throughout the process and helping to assess potential buyers against both their financial and strategic objectives.

The campaign generated significant interest, with multiple competitive offers received. VS Group ultimately emerged as one of the frontrunners, demonstrating a strong fit with the shareholders’ ambitions for the future of the business.

The transaction was a lengthy process due to the high level of interest and the number of parties involved. KBS remained closely involved throughout, providing ongoing commercial advice and managing negotiations to ensure the process continued to move towards the desired outcome.

KBS also undertook detailed work around working capital and the enterprise value to equity value bridge, helping the shareholders understand and navigate the financial elements of the transaction.

The shareholders also benefited from K3 Law’s expertise to guide them through the process providing a holistic approach to business sales.

“Jacob Lord and the KBS Corporate team supported us through the sale and I would be very happy to recommend them.

“He also helped vet potential buyers to ensure there was a strong fit, so that our clients, staff and suppliers would be well served going forward.

“He helped guide us through a complex process with clear communication and sound commercial advice.”

Simon Albert, Founder, The PC Support Group

Multiple offers provide confidence in the final outcome

KBS’ research and marketing campaign generated significant interest in The PC Support Group, resulting in a strong competitive bidding process.

Multiple credible acquirers submitted competitive offers, allowing the shareholders to carefully assess the opportunities available to them and create competitive tension throughout the process.

VS Group ultimately emerged as the preferred acquirer, offering the right combination of value, strategic fit and a shared approach to delivering high-quality services to customers.

The competitive process also provided the shareholders with confidence that they had achieved the right value for the business and selected a buyer capable of supporting its continued success.

The final outcome exceeded the client’s original expectations, with all parties highly satisfied with the transaction.

Expanding VS Group’s growing managed services platform

The acquisition of The PC Support Group represents the first of a number of planned bolt-on acquisitions for VS Group during its investment period, supporting the group’s wider buy-and-build strategy.

Backed by private equity investor Foresight, VS Group is focused on expanding its presence within the IT and cyber security sectors by bringing together established businesses with complementary capabilities.

The acquisition increases the group’s customer base by more than 200 and strengthens its ability to deliver managed IT services to businesses across a range of sectors.

For The PC Support Group, the transaction provides a platform for continued growth as part of a larger organisation, while maintaining the focus on high-quality service that has underpinned the company’s success since its foundation.

“We are pleased to welcome The PC Support Group team and their clients to VS Group. Like us, the team are delivering an excellent service to their clients across a wide range of sectors and we look forward to working with them moving forward.”

Kevin Penman and Jason Savion, VS Group