Background
Stella Weeks founded Mainline Employment in 1990, creating one of the leading independent recruitment agencies in the South West. The company employs more than 40 staff, with two branches in Bristol and one in Swindon.
Ms Weeks sought an appropriate buyer and deal structure that could complete without disrupting the business. It was also crucial the buyer shared Mainline Employment’s ethics and ethos to maintain the organisation’s excellent customer service levels and employee culture.
Our involvement
The transaction was led by Watersheds’ Swindon-based Partner Jessica Painter, while Thrings’ John Davies and Simon Hore worked with commercial property, commercial and employment colleagues to provide strategic and legal advice to Ms Weeks.
The company’s acquisition by First Personnel Group, an employment agency with a £70m turnover, was completed for an undisclosed sum, with Ms Weeks continuing as a consultant to the business.
Simon Hore said: “We were delighted to have worked closely with Watersheds to conclude a deal which will allow Stella to remain involved with the business while taking a well-deserved step back from day-to-day duties.”
The outcome
The transaction enabled Mainline Employment to continue expanding its service offering to regional clients in the commercial, office, industrial and transport sectors while ensuring a secure future for its staff.
Ms Weeks said of the deal: “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Watersheds and Thrings treated it as such. Both teams offered clear and concise advice, demonstrated great commercial awareness, negotiated calmly and effectively, and provided first-class project management to ensure the business realised its true market value.”
Who was involved
Lead Partner John Davies was assisted on the deal by Simon Hore and Thrings’ wider Commercial Property, Commercial and Employment Teams.