BKR International member firm UNW has advised the shareholders of Hodgson Sayers on its acquisition by United Infrastructure, supporting the long-established County Durham business as it enters its next phase of growth.
Founded in 1979 and headquartered in Stanley, with a further base in Nottingham, Hodgson Sayers provides specialist roofing, building fabric, construction and civil engineering services to clients across the UK. The business operates across sectors including power, social housing and education, and has developed long-standing relationships with major infrastructure organisations including Northern Powergrid and, more recently, National Grid.
Led by Chairman and Founder Billy Hodgson and Managing Director John Sayers, the business has experienced sustained growth in recent years, supported by increasing demand across its roofing and civils divisions.
The acquisition will bring Hodgson Sayers’ specialist roofing and building-envelope capabilities into United Infrastructure’s wider offering across the power and social infrastructure sectors. It is also expected to create opportunities for the business to work with new customers and partners as part of a larger group.
UNW provided corporate finance and tax advice to the shareholders throughout the transaction, with legal advice provided by Sintons.
Reflecting on the process, Billy Hodgson said the decision to sell the business was significant and highlighted the value of having experienced advisers involved:
“The sale was an important decision and having the right advisers alongside us throughout the process made a real difference. Nick Broadhead and the team at UNW took the time to understand the business and what we wanted to achieve. Their advice was practical and straightforward, and they worked closely with us throughout to help secure the right outcome.”
Nick Broadhead, Corporate Finance Partner in UNW’s Deal Advisory team, said the transaction brought together two businesses with complementary capabilities and strong potential for future development.
“Hodgson Sayers is a fantastic example of a North East business that has built its success on strong customer relationships, technical expertise and a commitment to developing its people.”
“United Infrastructure is a natural fit, with the acquisition bringing complementary capabilities together and creating opportunities for both businesses.”
United Infrastructure, headquartered in the North West of England, delivers critical infrastructure services across water, energy, power, telecoms and property services, employing more than 2,700 people across the UK.
The transaction marks an important milestone for Hodgson Sayers after more than four decades of growth and demonstrates the role of experienced advisory support in helping business owners navigate major ownership transitions and identify the right platform for future development.
For BKR, the deal is another example of the specialist transaction expertise within member firms and the practical role advisers can play in helping established businesses plan for long-term growth and succession.
