A group containing the UK’s leading security technologists, including SmartWater® and Perimeter Intruder Detection (PID) Systems, has received a major investment from Freshstream, allowing it to target new sectors with enhanced risk mitigation services to meet the important security needs of a diverse set of customers across new geographies.

Designed to facilitate the shift from labour to technology-based security solutions in the construction, infrastructure and property management sector, the Group’s technologies combine PID System’s market leading remote mobile CCTV products with SmartWater’s proprietary forensic marking technology, recognised as one of the country’s most powerful crime deterrents.

These powerful risk mitigation solutions are supported by another division of the group, the Centre for Infrastructure and Asset Protection (CIAP™), which has recently been appointed as crime analysts for the police, to provide early warning of new and developing security risks to national critical infrastructure companies, such as BT and the National Grid.

Operating UK wide from its HQ in Telford, the group is a fast growing and market-leading business with a long and successful heritage in the UK. With a large addressable market in the UK, for which mobile security and forensic systems currently have low penetration, the business has significant headroom to grow with a differentiated, data-driven and genuinely unique offering versus its competitors, with a clear focus on its key markets. It has maintained growth through COVID-19 with record sales achieved during the lockdown period.

Freshstream’s investment in the business will allow the Group to target new sectors and to develop its services to meet the important security needs of a diverse set of customers across new geographies. Most of the Group’s existing shareholders chose to roll invest into the new company, being impressed with both Freshstream’s approach and ambition.

Heligan Group and Grant Thornton advised on the investment.

The Group’s CEO, Phil Cleary, commented:
“We were courted by a number of Private Equity houses, but my management team were impressed by Freshstream’s flexibility, speed and intelligence, making it an easy decision for us to choose to partner with them.

Their support and advice will enable us to accelerate our progression into new complementary services, sectors and new geographies. We were also impressed by Freshstream’s track record of working with high growth companies, providing financial support, experience and strategic guidance. We are delighted to be working with them.”

Reza Fardad, Partner at Freshstream, commented:
“We are delighted to have partnered with the team at SmartWater® and PID Systems during their next phase of growth. The group provides a truly differentiated offering and has a strong track record of delivering solutions that reduce crime and protect the property of its clients. We look forward to working with the team to develop the business further.”

Freshstream and LDC backed holiday specialists Away Resorts are excited to announce the acquisition of a popular and long-established holiday park located on the north Cornish coast near Hayle and St Ives Bay.

The 120-acre St Ives Bay Holiday Park has been in family ownership since 1962 and is nestled amongst the sand dunes with direct beach access and enjoying wide-ranging views towards St Ives. With 800 well-appointed chalets, static caravans and camping pitches, the park will become one of eight much-loved resorts owned by the popular British holiday park operator, Away Resorts.

This new park is a welcome addition to the portfolio and the first in the South West for Away Resorts, who are renowned for unique accommodation and facilities, a high level of personal service and a focus on creating exceptional family experiences in special locations.
This exciting change of hands of St Ives Bay Holiday Park from the current owner, Chris Harvey, to Away Resorts will see continued investment in the resort to build on the excellent foundation that Chris and his team have created over the years. In addition, Away Resorts proposes to start offering holiday home ownership at St Ives Bay in line with other parks in the portfolio, enabling families to enjoy regular breaks away.

As the staycation specialists, Away Resorts have seen first hand the unprecedented demand for UK breaks and holiday home ownership. As a result, and to cater to the needs of existing and new audiences, the company is now investing in a host of significant improvements across its park portfolio.

The acquisition includes the transition of an experienced team who will continue their employment and are being welcomed into the Away Resorts family.

Aspirations for the new park are being developed and will reflect the unique facilities and events that Away Resorts have become renowned for. Any families who feel they may be interested in finding out more about owning a holiday home at St Ives Bay should contact Away Resorts directly to register their interest via their website.

Freshstream and LDC provided follow-on funding for this acquisition.

In addition to this latest acquisition, Away Resorts also recently completed on the purchase of Boston West Hotel and Golf Course in Hubbert’s Bridge, Lincolnshire with plans to implement the recently obtained planning permission to develop 300 pitches suitable for luxury lodges. Furthermore, phase one plans have begun at Mill Rythe Coastal Village, on Hayling Island, as it undergoes an exciting £10million transformation – turning the popular park into a contemporary, self-catered destination for holiday home ownership, short breaks and holidays.

Over the past 12 months, Away Resorts has invested over £50million in the staycation sector including the acquisition of new parks, the building of new facilities on existing parks and customer experience enhancing developments across the entire estate.

Tim Gibson, Director at Away Resorts, commented:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to add St Ives Bay Holiday Park to our expanding portfolio of parks across the UK and are proud to be investing more into this industry, even during these challenging economic times.”

Carl Castledine, CEO of Away Resorts, added:
“Staycations are going to be just as vital this year and beyond as they have been in 2020 and we can’t wait to welcome customers, new and existing, to this amazing new park.”

Chris Harvey, St Ives Bay Holiday Park’s existing owner, commented:
“We are really excited to announce that Away Resorts have acquired our much loved St Ives Bay Holiday Park, with views to further enhance and drive the vision we started many years ago to create a unique place for families to enjoy much valued time together.”

Irmo Holslag, Partner at Freshstream, comments:
“We are delighted to be supporting the Away Resorts team on their next acquisition. The business has developed into a highly regarded and innovative holiday operator, well positioned to capitalise on the strong momentum they have generated at the cutting edge of the industry. The acquisition will enable us to further accelerate the growth of St Ives Bay Holiday Park.”

Richard Whitwell, Head of Midlands at LDC, added:
“With demand for British holidays increasing, Away Resorts is ideally placed to continue growing its position in the market, with a highly capable management team, a distinct proposition, a portfolio of prime sites and significant capital backing.”

Ardian, a world-leading private investment house, today announces that it has acquired from Bregal Investments its LP interest in Bregal Freshstream LP (now known as Freshstream I LP), a fund established in 2015 with €600m of commitments.

Freshstream is a mid-market private equity firm focused on investments in the Netherlands, the UK and Belgium. The transaction announced today completes Freshstream’s transition from the Bregal Investments platform to an independent firm owned by its partners.

Bregal supports this transition and both Bregal and Ardian have made commitments to Freshstream’s second fund.

The fund – which is fully deployed across 10 investments, one of which was sold in 2019 – will now be managed by Freshstream. Any future Freshstream funds will be raised by Freshstream as a stand-alone entity.

The team has taken advantage of opportunities created by the global pandemic to support the portfolio’s growth, with five bolt-on deals signed or completed over the last six months and a further two in exclusivity, including transformational acquisitions by Away Resorts (a UK holiday park operator) and Avicenna (a group of community pharmacies in the UK).