In memory of Abi Godfrey
Our weekly free round up of key deals and major moves in the Rainmakers world
Hello Rainmakers,
We’ve got the usual round up of deals from around our regional editors, but first, we wanted to make everyone aware of an important fundraising project underway, led by the team at Grant Thornton, in memory of their friend Abi Godfrey who passed away this year while on maternity leave following the birth of her son Leo.
Peter Terry and the team at Grant Thornton have been rocked by what happened to Abi, but they are taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks in her memory next week.
Peter Terry: “Abi had only been with Grant Thornton since July 2024, joining from Deloitte, but had already had a tremendous impact both in the North West office, and the local and national corporate finance businesses, spearheading the formation and growth of the pharma and life sciences healthcare sector team. At the age of only 34 she was in the Grant Thornton partner process and was expected to be promoted to partner during her maternity leave.
“Her passing was a massive shock to us all and we have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and condolence which we have received. I shouldn’t have been surprised, given the measure of the person she was, but the impact of Abi’s loss is being felt far and wide, inside and outside Grant Thornton – she touched so many people’s lives in such a short space of time. She was so kind and giving, especially of her time – no task was too much trouble, no matter who was asking.
“It is the least that we can do to honour her memory with the walk, which I know that she would have loved to take part in, and to raise as much as we can through our fundraising efforts to give baby Leo the best start in life in these most tragic of circumstances.
“The walk on Thursday 28 May will be a chance to bring together people who knew Abi and who have been impacted by her passing, from all walks of life – friends, family, work colleagues and associates, and to celebrate her life.”
Links to the walk registration and donation page are below.
To register to join: Memorial trek for Abi - Overlimits
To donate: Crowdfunding For Good From JustGiving
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Opperman Plants has been given a fresh chance to grow after a rescue deal helped stop the Lincolnshire horticulture business from becoming another garden-variety casualty, safeguarding 39 jobs in the process.
The deal saw Littleworth Nurseries step in to acquire the business and assets following Opperman Plants’ administration in April - proving that even in business, sometimes you just have to re-pot and start fresh.
Founded in 1997 by Mike and Jenny Opperman, the business built its roots supplying tropical plants and outdoor ornamentals to major UK supermarkets. But after one key retail customer wilted, rising costs and HMRC pressures left the company in need of some serious pruning.
Fortunately, founders Mike and Jenny were able to plant the seeds of a reflowering, securing the winning bid through Littleworth Nurseries - a company they already owned that has now sprung back into life after years dormant.
FRP Advisory handled the administration process while Rothera Bray’s legal team helped the deal blossom, ensuring continuity for customers, suppliers and staff alike. Sometimes, it turns out, every greenhouse really does have a silver lining.
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The Aberdeen-based Balmoral Group has sold its subsea engineering division Balmoral Comtec to German outfit Freudenberg Flow Technologies.
The deal – done for an undisclosed sum – required approval by the UK Government under the National Security and Investment Act.
Also north of the border this week, recruitment firm Carlyle has acquired a majority stake in Edinburgh-based School for CEOs, the executive development company founded by David Sole and Patrick Macdonald in 2011.
School for CEOs will continue to trade under its own name, with former Scottish rugby international Sole remaining in charge, while Macdonald steps down.
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More than 30 jobs have been saved at a firm which has gained a new lease of life this spring after suffering cash flow pressures following a historic fire and increased debt due to the pandemic. MTE Heat Treatment, an established provider of precision engineering services based in Huddersfield, has now been acquired out of administration. The business and its assets have been sold to Metal Treatment and Engineering, a subsidiary of Time to ACT plc.
Lee Lockwood and Gareth Harris, of RSM UK Restructuring Advisory, were appointed joint administrators of MTE Heat Treatment in February this year. Lockwood said the deal has not only safeguarded employment but has ensured continuity of supply for the firm’s clients. It has customers in the automotive, marine, energy and precision engineering sectors. The business operates from a 30,000 sq ft facility at Spa Fields Industrial Estate, Slaithwaite.
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Who doesn’t like a good transatlantic takeover tale. Wound care group, Advanced Medical Solutions, is back in the spotlight after it revealed an unsolicited approach from an American business which describes itself as “a successful and disciplined acquiror”.
In a statement to the Stock Exchange the Cheshire-based wound care specialist said discussions with Minnesota-based H.B. Fuller are ongoing but cautioned that there can be no certainty that a firm offer will be made for a business with a market cap of £481m.
The successful and disciplined acquiror said they continue to explore “opportunities in its M&A pipeline including, but not limited to, other assets in the medical adhesives market.”
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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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