Liverpool advisory company completes £2 million MBO

A Liverpool-based employee benefits advisory firm has been bought by its senior management team for £2 million.

The £2 million management buyout (MBO) at CS Financial Solutions (CSFS) was backed by a £1.4 million equity investment from Merseyside Special Investment Fund (MSIF). The MBO at CSFS was led by chief executive Paul McGukin, with support from managing director Craig Williams and commercial director Colin Nicol.

CSFS, which is headquartered on Chapel Street in Liverpool city centre, was founded as Griffiths & Armour Insurance Broking in 1934 and subsequently sold to Charles Stanley, who renamed the company, in 2008. The financial services business, which has an additional office in London, has an annual turnover in the region of £3.5 million and currently employs around 50 members of staff.

The company provides a range of financial services advice for both corporate clients and their staff. This advice includes employee benefits such as healthcare, income protection and pensions.

Chief executive and now owner Paul McGuckin said of the MBO: “By becoming an independent business, trading as CS Financial Solutions, CSFS will be able to run the business far more efficiently and profitably, and with full focus on fulfilling the needs of our clients.

“We are forecasting significant growth across the business and are planning to take on around 15 new specialist staff during the next two years. All our existing staff will remain with the business.”

Paul Humphray, the investment director at equity investor MSIF, said of the deal: “With the constantly changing regulatory environment around employee benefits and pensions that will affect every business in the UK, it represents a growing and exciting sector in which CSFS already has a strong reputation across the UK.

“Led by a strong management team, we look forward to helping the business achieve its growth aspirations.”

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