A reminder to vote in three of our regional Rainmaker Awards
Our weekly free round up of key deals and major moves in the Rainmakers world
Hello Rainmakers,
First, a reminder for readers in the West Midlands, Yorkshire and the North West. Voting is now open for the Rainmaker Awards.
Here’s how it works.
Voted for by the corporate finance community itself, the awards are decided on a one-firm, one-vote basis - making the Rainmakers a genuine peer-led recognition.
We’ve also added information about the deals and the individual categories, so you can see who has worked on which deals to help you come to your decision.
After we’ve shared a round up of the most eye-catching deals from around the country, you can find details of how to book a place at the Rainmaker awards.
This is free to all who have signed up, however Rainmakers subscribers get two unique pieces a week, and also full access to our back catalogue of investigations, scoops, and insights, including updates from The Secret Investor, interviews with entrepreneurs, and the leaders from VC and PE investors like Endless, and River Capital, Foresight, Mercia, Puma and LDC.
OCU Group has almost trebled its revenues in the four years since it was taken over by private equity investor Triton in July 2022.
This week Stockport-based OCU acquired Athena PTS, an independent electrical engineering specialist based in Ulverston, Cumbria, adding grid connection infrastructure skills to its wider offer.
Since Triton acquired OCU which describes itself as “energy transition and utilities infrastructure services company revenue has soared from over £300m to £886m in the last accounts, largely by acquisition of specialist technical service providers in utility, civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering, alongside expert competencies in network design and project management.
Funded as O’Connor Utilities and Instalcom, in 1994 by Tim and Tom O’Connor, it is now quietly adding all the skills needed to support big projects.
Athena has built a strong reputation for delivering technically demanding electrical engineering services across multiple sectors, including renewable energy, marine electrical, nuclear, utilities, and building services.
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A Leicestershire manufacturer has avoided being shown the door after a rescue deal helped save 56 jobs.
Benlowe Group, the long-established timber windows and doors business, has been given a fresh frame for the future after being acquired out of administration by DorWins Joinery, part of property renovation investor RightGuard Capital.
The deal was nailed down on the same day administrators Thomas Harris and Martin Buttriss of BTG were appointed, ensuring the business could keep the lights on and the workshop doors open.
Benlowe has supplied housing developers, contractors and architects for almost 60 years, and its new owners are hoping the acquisition will open a window of opportunity for further growth.
Jamie Ryan, chief executive and founder of RightGuard Capital, said the purchase would add “another avenue” to the group’s expanding offering, with plans now underway to fit Benlowe into the wider business.
BTG was supported on the transaction by HCR, while BTG Eddisons provided valuation support.
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A testing, inspection and certification services business with 2,300 staff and revenues of £240m in the UK and Ireland has swooped for a long-established East Yorkshire-based provider of engineering, design and asset inspection services. SOCOTEC UK & Ireland has acquired LSTC Group, which is based in Driffield. LSTC has been on the scene since 1954 and mainly operates in the UK’s regulated energy infrastructure sector.
The deal is designed to complement SOCOTEC’s established infrastructure and energy sector portfolio, which already includes geotechnical engineering services, construction testing, monitoring and surveying. SOCOTEC UK & Ireland has been on something of an acquisition spree in recent years - LSTC is its 16th takeover since 2017. SOCOTEC Group CEO, Herve Montjotin, said: “LSTC will play a central role within our UK platform, strengthening our position in a highly strategic market. This move is fully aligned with SOCOTEC Group’s global strategy to accelerate its development in critical infrastructure, particularly in power grids, which are essential to the energy transition.”
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Mulberry Waste Holdings has more than doubled its headcount with its acquisition of Ecobat Solutions in Darlaston, Walsall. The deal will supercharge Mulberry’s expansion into the fast-growing lithium-ion battery recycling market.
Ecobat, which employs 115 staff and generates annual revenues of over £20m, will continue to operate from its existing site following the deal. The acquisition brings together Lancashire-based Mulberry’s established hazardous waste expertise with Ecobat’s end-to-end lithium-ion battery recycling capabilities. It also aligns with the UK’s push towards on-shore recycling infrastructure, supported by initiatives such as Innovate UK.
Mulberry’s managing director and founder Hassan Isaji said: “Ecobat is a technically advanced business operating at the heart of the battery value chain. Its capabilities in collection, diagnostics and material recovery, combined with Mulberry’s established infrastructure and track record, create a compelling growth platform.
“This transaction reflects strong demand for businesses supporting the circular economy, particularly those enabling the recovery and reuse of critical materials.”
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IT services provider Kubus Group has strengthened its technical capabilities and presence in key sectors by acquiring a specialist audio-visual technology firm.
The takeover of TenTechnology Group means Cirencester-headquartered Kubus can better target high-growth verticals, including critical infrastructure and advanced networking.
TenTechnology, based in Leatherhead, Surrey, specialises in cutting-edge software, intuitive hardware and seamless AV installation services, creating what it falls smart office solutions tailored for modern workplaces.
The deal forms part of Kubus’s 2026 growth strategy and will create a centre of AV technology excellence within the business.
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The 2026 Rainmaker Awards
The North West, Yorkshire and West Midlands Rainmaker Awards are upon us, once again bringing together the region’s deals community to celebrate the standout deals, teams, and individuals of the past 12 months.
Voted for by the corporate finance community itself, the awards are decided on a one-firm, one-vote basis – making the Rainmaker a genuine peer-led recognition.
Voting forms start landing next week, after the shortlists have been agreed by a judging day involving all the region’s leading firms.
The Rainmaker Awards ditch black-tie formality and speeches in favour of a relaxed evening focused on what the deals and the people who made them happen.
The evening is also a great way to connect with leading firms and individuals shaping the regional deal landscape.
There is a new individual category this year, as we will recognise Lifetime Achievement of one of our Rainmakers for the first time.
The 2026 Yorkshire awards are on June the 11th at New Dock Hall in Leeds, the North West awards will take place on the 25th of June 2026 at the Kimpton Hotel in Manchester city centre, and the West Midlands at the Burlington Hotel in Birmingham on the 2nd of July.
Last year sold out, so book early to secure your table.
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