Operator-led investment firm, Ama Capital, today announced its first investment, backing the management team of The Vella Group in an MBO whilst also providing significant further funding to facilitate the company’s consolidation strategy.
Northwest headquartered Vella Group is one of the UK’s fastest growing automotive repair centre groups (ARCs) andcurrently operates across 18 sites in the North and Midlands (six of which have been opened in the last 18 months) and employs over 470 people.
Established in 1986 by Karl Vella MBE, The Vella Group is one of the most trusted and respected ARCs in the UK. In more recent years it has experienced strong growth and leadership under the stewardship of Managing Director, Marc Holding, via a combination of building capacity throughestablishing and acquiring new sites, and delivering market leading, client-focussed service to its insurance, accident management and fleet customers.
Ama’s investment sees it acquire a majority stake in the business in partnership with Keyhaven Capital Partners, a specialist private equity firm that backs best-in-class local independent sponsors in the European lower mid-market.
Karl Vella, The Vella Group’s exiting Founder, said:
“I feel a sense of real pride looking back at my time in the industry and what we have created in Vella, in no small part under Marc’s leadership in recent years. I also feel very excited about its future. We had multiple opportunities to sell but I’m delighted that the company chose Ama to help forge itsown path. I look forward to supporting from the sidelines in any way that I can.”
Marc Holding, The Vella Group’s Managing Director, stated:
“It’s a privilege to take up the baton from Karl. We believe that we have built a really strong foundation for growth andare excited by what the future holds for Vella. The market is ever-evolving, as are the goals, sizes and shapes of regional and national operators.
“Whatever we do, we will remain true to our principles, with our main goal to continue to deliver consistently high levels of service to our customers throughout the UK.
“It was clear that Ama understood both the ARC and wider insurance services sectors and could bring real experience and expert knowledge to help accelerate our plans. In the end, when we were choosing our investment partner, that really was the deciding factor.”
Ama Capital Non-Exec Partner Alistair Hardie has joined The Vella Group as Chair, bringing extensive experience from the insurance sector and private equity-backed buy and build growth.
Ama’s Finance and Operations Specialist, James Hill, has been appointed full time CFO. Additionally, Ama Functional Specialists, Dominic Miller and former Olympic goldmedallist, Adrian Moorhouse, will provide expert support onM&A activity and integration and culture and organisational development, respectively.
Ama Capital Founding Partner, Ed Ransome, added:
“We’re delighted to support Marc and the team at Vella. What they have achieved to date is highly impressive, but not surprising given the company’s considered approach to growthand its focus on quality, organisational cohesion, culture and stakeholder alignment.
“We believe that Vella is incredibly well positioned to be thetrusted partner of choice for customers, suppliers and other operators over the coming years.
“The opportunity to invest in Vella perfectly fits our business model and why we founded Ama Capital, to bring real operational expertise to the UK private equity lower mid-market. Our operator–led model helps companies achieve their long-term objectives with unique access to business experience from those who have successfully been there and done it.
“A number of our seasoned team will support Marc and management in the next phase of the company’s growth. We’re enthused by what we can achieve together, alongside Andrew and the team at Keyhaven.”
