Transactions Set To Be ‘Transformative’ For Both Businesses

Irwin Mitchell’s Banking & Finance team has provided legal support and advice to leading alternative finance provider to mid-sized SMEs, ThinCats, on two recent landmark transactions.

In the most recent deal, Irwin Mitchell advised ThinCats in supporting Hyperion Equity Partners with funding to launch Ranger Fire and Security, a new national group in the fire and security industry.

The investment from Hyperion, with funding from ThinCats, facilitated the acquisition of two highly regarded businesses, Amerex Fire International and Ignis Fire Protection, to form the new group. Ranger Fire and Security, led by CEO Mark Bridges, aims to continue its expansion through an ambitious buy and build strategy.

ThinCats also provided a significant funding package to support Trimountain Partners' investment in The Horizon Parking Group. Trimountain Partners, in collaboration with investor partners including Westbrooke Alternative Asset Management, led the transaction. The funding will support and accelerate Horizon Parking's growth plans as one of the UK's leading parking management solutions and services providers.

Commenting on the significance of the latest deal, ThinCats director Stuart Thompson said: “This transaction marks a significant milestone for our Transitional Capital offering, which has now supported ambitious and growing businesses like Ranger Fire and Security with over £100m in funding in the last two years.”

The Irwin Mitchell team was led by Banking partner, Dan Webster. He was supported by colleagues Nick Jennings and Myah Kataria in Banking and had support from Dan Bastide and Simon Brooks in Corporate.

Expert Opinion

"Both Ranger Fire and Security and The Horizon Parking Group demonstrate commitment to growth in their respective industries and these investments will provide the necessary resources for these businesses to achieve their ambitious plans.

"The successful acquisition of Amerex Fire International and Ignis Fire Protection, and the launch of Ranger Fire and Security, exemplifies ThinCats' dedication to empowering ambitious businesses with robust growth strategies. This achievement holds particular significance as it stands as a landmark transaction for ThinCats' Transitional Capital offering. This specialist product provides tailor-made loan facilities to firms pursuing high-growth strategies, solidifying ThinCats' commitment to supporting and propelling the success of dynamic enterprises.

"Additionally, we are proud to have supported ThinCats' sponsor lending team, headed by Neil Patel, in providing a significant funding package to support Trimountain Partners' investment in The Horizon Parking Group.

“This transaction showcases ThinCats' expertise in providing tailored finance solutions for companies with ambitious expansion plans. We are excited to see the continued growth and success of both Ranger Fire and Security and The Horizon Parking Group, and we are privileged to have been a part of these transformative deals."
Dan Webster, Banking partner at Irwin Mitchell

Neil Patel, National Head of Sponsors at ThinCats, said: “We’ve developed a strong relationship with the team at Irwin Mitchell who consistently deliver expert advice in the execution of complex transactions.”

Stuart Thompson, Head of Transitional Capital at ThinCats, added: “Dan and the wider team at Irwin Mitchell were excellent throughout the process, helping us to navigate the deal which involved multiple stakeholders.”