Concept Resourcing are excited to announce the completion of investment by Aliter Capital LLP!
Aliter is a specialist UK support services investor, which differs from traditional private equity models with its’ limited number of selective portfolio investments. Aliter aim to deliver ‘hands-on’ support to small and medium-sized businesses in the UK. Aliter have completed investment in Concept as part of its recently raised second fund. Aliter was founded by a group of seasoned support services entrepreneurs and investors – Billy Allan, Greig Brown, Andy Galloway and Andrew Busby – and focuses on small and medium-sized businesses in the UK support services sector, a market valued at over £300 billion. Aliter has funds under management of more than £215 million and has now closed a total of 21 transactions since the beginning of 2017.
Sadly, this means we’re saying goodbye to our CEO Chris Short, who founded Concept back in 2000. Majority shareholder Chris Short is leaving the business whilst current managing director and shareholder Matt Gillen will remain with Concept to lead it through its next phase of growth. Matt joined Concept in 2017 after 18 years with Michael Page.
Chris Short says:
“When I founded Concept 20 years ago, I had a vision of building a business that could capitalise on the advancing technology markets and help ambitious individuals find exciting career opportunities with a great portfolio of clients. Concept has achieved all of that and much more, but more importantly, is now poised for further growth through expansion both in the UK and internationally.”
This latest deal is consistent with Aliter’s investment strategy of acquiring and integrating smaller businesses to create sophisticated and professional medium sized operators within fragmented markets. Aliter’s strategy focuses on using its deep industrial expertise and broad networks to drive both organic and acquisitive growth to gain scale and a national footprint. Chris Short further explains that,
“Aliter is the perfect partner to support the next phase of Concept’s journey. Their investment strategy aligns precisely with what Concept needs, and their values and ethics are exactly matched to ours. Matt Gillen and the management team are ready, willing and able to take this journey with Aliter, and I leave the business confident that the Concept legacy couldn’t be in better hands.”
Aliter partner Billy Allan has stated that Concept has an ‘enviable’ and ‘strong’ reputation as one of the UK’s leading recruitment and resourcing consultancies, aswell as our established and highly regarded senior team enables us to consistently deliver. Billy further adds, “We are delighted to be backing Matt and his talented team to develop the leading specialist technological resourcing businesses in the UK. We already have a plan in place for strong growth and further acquisitions”.
“‘We are backing Matt and his team to develop a group of specialist recruitment businesses, focused on technology and related STEM sector roles (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths). We also intend to develop the business selectively in key international markets.”
Our Managing Director, Matt Gillen, says:
Concept has attracted excellent, committed professionals, and invested in their training, development and progression. As a result of these efforts, we have experienced tremendous growth over the past five years. We made the decision to approach Aliter Capital having witnessed their outstanding track-record first hand with some of our support services clients. Their approach of working closely with the management to drive and deliver organic and acquisitive growth strategies was very much aligned to our own plans. I can’t thank the Concept Team enough for their support and input along the journey so far. We’re really excited to join Aliter’s portfolio and will continue to offer an outstanding service to our clients and candidates.
We are very excited to see how Aliter’s investment can excel Concept and where this will take us in the future. Keep an eye on our news pages and social media for further updates!
