Kevin Paget, Director and Head of Deal Advisory at Mercer and Hole has advised on the sale of CCS Group Holdings Limited (London) and its wholly owned trading subsidiary Commercial Collection Services Limited (CCS) to Canadian Stock Exchange listed Everyday People Financial Corp. (TSX-V: EPF) via its subsidiary BPO Collections Ltd.
Founded in 1975, CCS is actively engaged in debt collection services and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. CCS works with several UK government departments and across various commercial sectors with an emphasis on supporting individuals in managing and reducing debt.
The terms of the sale, that concluded November 2024, included a mixture of cash, shares in EPF, deferred consideration and earn out for a total potential consideration of £4.5m.
The transaction was led by Kevin Paget, now Director and Head of Deal Advisory at Mercer and Hole LLP, supported by the deal advisory team at Menzies LLP of Dominic Howarth, Holly Caunt, Stephen Hemmings, and Scott Elsden. Legal support was provided by Helen Mead, Callum Kirk, Josie Appleyard and Jordan Whiteley from DMH Stallard LLP.
Kevin Paget, Director and Head of Deal Advisory at Mercer and Hole LLP said, “I was introduced to Jon and Keith ten years ago and, after guiding them through a management buyout, have acted as an informal sounding board over the years as I watched them successfully develop and grow the business. I’m delighted to have now advised them on their exit with the sale to EPF / BPO Collections and I look forward to seeing the continued success of the business under new ownership.”
Jon Godbold – Shareholder & CEO (Retired) of CCS said, “Perhaps uniquely, I am able to provide testament to Kevin’s skills both as a buyer and vendor. In 2017, my business partner and I completed the MBO of CCS, a challenging acquisition that included lengthy and protracted negotiations with the sellers, a major client who paused their debt collection activities for six months and finding suitable funders to back the transaction.
Kevin was our retained consultant, who project managed the MBO, negotiated with the sellers, raised the funding and expertly guided us throughout the transaction.
In 2024, Kevin was our preferred choice to advise and lead the trade sale of the company. Every stage of the sale process was meticulously managed by Kevin and his team, maximising value through creativity, unrivalled knowledge and sheer determination. Kevin is the ultimate professional deal maker.”
Keith Steward – Shareholder & Finance Director of CCS said, “Buying and then selling a business is something I am only likely to do once.
“For all the hard work we have put in through the years to build our business and grow its value, it was key we had the right advisors at these crucial two points to make sure that value was realised. Kevin led us through the MBO, negotiating with the vendors, securing the funding and guiding us through due diligence.
“All very challenging, and without his invaluable advice I am not sure we would have got there. Through the sale process he has been our advisor, our negotiator and our referee. We pass on a successful business, very content that the value we added has been realised.”