Status: Realised Date: 2013 to 2018 Sectors: Financial Services & Insurance Business & Technology Services Buy & Build: 4 www.kindertons.co.uk BACK TO INVESTMENTS INVESTMENT BACKGROUND Kindertons was founded in 1993 and by 2012, the business was operating from 11 depots across the UK, with a fleet of more than 2,000 vehicles. As the business continued to see increased demand for its services, founder Shaun Ellison had ambitious expansion plans. He started to look for an outside investor with a track record of successfully developing and expanding business support services companies. He was also looking for an investment partner to help him with acquisitions in a fragmented market characterised by a large number of small players. In 2013, Sovereign backed the management team to grow the business both organically and through carefully selected acquisitions. VALUE CREATION Introduced a new Chairman, CEO and Finance Director, to bolster the board and enable smooth succession planning Completed four strategic acquisitions to diversify the service offering: motorbike specialist Plantec in 2013, taxi credit hire expert Sovereign Automotive in 2016, niche credit hire provider Platinum Assistance in 2017 and specialist accident management provider Crusader Assistance in 2018 Developed the Group to become a full-service provider of accident management solutions through its five group companies and other affiliations nationwide More than doubled its fleet to 5,300 vehicles with a particular focus on higher-margin prestige and specialist vehicles, 4x4s, taxis and motorbikes More than doubled the number of employees from 450 to over 1,000 KINDERTONS AT EXIT With Sovereign’s support, the business became one of the largest credit hire organisations in the UK, managing the full claims process on behalf of insurers, insurance brokers, motor dealers, garages and bodyshops. This was as well as providing replacement vehicles and managing the recovery, repair and storage of damaged vehicles. The company was sold in May 2018 to ExamWorks, a market-leading service provider to the insurance, legal and healthcare sectors backed by Leonard Green & Partners. BACK TO INVESTMENTS IN THEIR OWN WORDS Sovereign delivered exactly what they said they would at the time of the MBO in 2013. It has been an enjoyable journey since then made easier with the level of support and help Sovereign have provided over that time. I look forward to seeing the business continue to develop over future years. Shaun Ellison / Founder / Kindertons KINDERTONS AWARDS The British Insurance Awards 2017 Winner HOME WHO WE ARE Our Values Our Story Our Team OUR APPROACH YOUR JOURNEY Accelerate Growth Sell your business Own the business you run OUR INVESTMENTS NEWS CONTACT US Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy All Content © Sovereign Capital 2021 SOVEREIGN CAPITAL PARTNERS 25 Victoria Street London SW1H 0EX Get Directions T:+44 (0)20 7340 8800 Email Site by Chaos Our website uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By using our website you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy. AGREE & CLOSE