RSK Group Limited, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, has announced it has entered into an agreement to receive a £500 million preferred equity investment from a consortium led by Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P, and Ares Management Corporation funds. In addition, Ares has committed an incremental £300 million debt facility to further support RSK’s growth plans, bringing total available debt facilities provided by Ares to £1.4 billion.
Founded in 1989 by its Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder, RSK and its 15,000 employees provide end-to-end, bespoke environmental consulting and engineering solutions to a vast array of clients across the water, energy, construction and infrastructure sectors. The additional capital is expected to support the ambitions articulated in RSK’s 2030 Global Growth Strategy, including organic growth initiatives and the continued execution of the Company’s acquisition strategy.
Alan said: “RSK is very pleased to welcome a new group of investors and further strengthen our relationship with Ares. This strategic partnership marks a pivotal moment for RSK as we take another step towards our long-term vision of becoming the world’s largest and most trusted provider of sustainable solutions.
“Searchlight and Ares’ expertise in our industry, combined with their track record of supporting growth initiatives, will be instrumental as we execute on our M&A strategy and expand our service offerings. After three decades, RSK remains committed to delivering environmental and engineering services to help government and business clients around the world achieve a more sustainable future. The opportunities for RSK increase at pace.”
Searchlight Partner James Redmayne said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Alan and the RSK management team, as they embark on the next phase of their journey to becoming the leading global provider of sustainability solutions for their customers. The unique employee-ownership culture of the business provides the perfect platform for RSK to continue its stated mission of striving to address the current and future impacts of climate change.”
Searchlight Partner Giles Marshall added: “The evolving regulatory landscape, accelerating global energy transition and goal of providing clean water and sanitation for all, present increasing challenges and opportunities for RSK’s customers, which the business is uniquely positioned to execute on. We look forward to partnering with the management team to support their continued growth and industry-leading service.”
Ares Management Co-Head of European Credit, Michael Dennis, said: “Since our initial investment in 2018, we have seen firsthand RSK’s commitment to helping advance the energy transition through differentiated client solutions. We are excited to increase our financial commitment alongside Searchlight and further support the Company’s focus on identifying new investment opportunities and developing innovative capabilities that can drive more sustainable business outcomes and long-term growth for RSK.”
