1st February 2022 - Limerston Capital LLP (“Limerston Capital”) is pleased to announce the acquisition of Gosport-based laboratory Wickham Micro and appointed industry veteran Mark Hammond as its CEO. The acquisition of the laboratory is part of a wider growth plan, of which Hammond will play a pivotal part.
Wickham Micro is an established laboratory and has provided expert microbiology and in-vitro toxicology services to the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors for almost 60 years. The team works with global brands to deliver comprehensive testing services, enabling them to launch and release their products safely and efficiently, facilitating safe access to critical medicines and devices that are needed across the world.
As part of the acquisition, a separate entity for the (in-vivo) toxicity testing part of the business has been created and will remain under the control of the previous owners.
Hammond joins from PBD Biotech and has held senior roles within both private and public companies, including Melbourn Scientific, Intertek and Aesica Pharmaceuticals. Mark’s people-focused leadership approach and strong track record of commercial development will enable him to drive the expansion of Wickham Micro, reinforcing its reputation as the leading provider of pharmaceutical and medical device testing services.
Limerston Capital has recognised and responded to the continued growth of the pharmaceutical and medical device testing markets, with the latter worth approximately $10 billion. The business has signalled ambitions to develop its portfolio and is exploring further acquisitions, with Hammond poised to oversee the group.
João Rosa, Founding Partner at Limerston Capital, said “The acquisition of Wickham Micro represents an important milestone for us and is an example of a business with strong fundamentals and potential for significant growth. We are confident that Mark will help drive plans forward with clear leadership whilst we consider further opportunities to strengthen our foothold in the pharmaceutical and medical device testing markets.”
Mark Hammond, CEO for Wickham Micro, said: “Wickham Micro has built up a reputation for excellence and quality, providing a wide range of services to an impressive client list. There is a clear opportunity to use the business’s success to date as a platform for further growth and I am looking forward to increasing our capabilities over the coming months and years.”
William Cartmell, founder of Wickham Laboratories commented: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Limerston team and I am confident the business is in safe hands. Under Mark’s stewardship, the micro side of the company will be given the opportunity to grow and develop, whilst retaining the values the business was founded on.”
Limerston Capital was advised by Avonhurst Legal.
For more information, please contact:
Martim Avillez, Limerston Capital Founding Partner
martim.avillez@limerstoncap.com +44 (0)203 897 1860
Media:
Caroline Villiers cvilliers@keplercomms.com +44 (0)7808 585184
Charlotte Balbirnie cbalbirnie@keplercomms.com +44 (0)7989 528421
About Limerston Capital
Founded in 2015 by James Paget, João Rosa and Martim Avillez, London based Limerston Capital pursues control investments in UK mid-market companies and seeks to create value through the firm’s buy-and-build and operationally focused model. The firm targets businesses with EBITDA of between £5 million and £15 million that have a solid value proposition, but have potential for operational improvements, have mispriced underlying returns on capital and provide opportunities for strategic repositioning via consolidation.
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