Fri, 13 Mar 2026 | BUSINESS SALE
Stephenson Capital has acquired a HR firm based in Cumbria as it seeks to expand across the North of England and Scotland. The North East-based company has acquired Realise HR, a HR and recruitment specialist based in Carlisle.
Realise HR provides training and recruitment consultancy services to businesses of all sizes across the UK, as well as in France and Spain. The company’s services span outsourced HR managed services for small businesses, people and culture-related projects for larger organisations and matching businesses to executive talent through its recruitment division.
Stephenson Capital’s acquisition of Realise HR, which has established a strong reputation for its practical, commercially-focused HR services, provides the firm with access to a wider network of business leaders, operators and partnerships.
The acquisition will also seek to ensure continuity and to maintain Realise HR’s independent culture and approach. The company will continue to operate from Cumbria as Realise HR Ltd and to be led by founder and Chief Executive Claire McLean (pictured above with Operations Director David McLean), with no changes to its leadership, services or day-to-day operations.
Claire McLean commented: "Realise has always been built around people - our team, our clients and the quality of work we do together. This partnership gives us the opportunity to grow further while staying true to what makes Realise special."
Stephenson Capital is an investment and consulting firm specialising in working with entrepreneurs and private clients to assist them in establishing, building and exiting their businesses.
The company, which is focused on the UK tech market, has completed more than 40 acquisitions over the past 20 years, supported by debt funding, venture capital and angel investors.
Stephenson Capital operates a long-term ownership model, which Realise describes as focusing on "developing specialist businesses with strong growth potential, providing strategic support while allowing leadership teams to continue running their companies."
Neil Stephenson, Chairman of Stephenson Capital, said that the firm would seek to support Realise HR’s existing success, while helping the company to grow across the North of England.
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