
UKSE Investment Backs New Face and Growth at Facades.
A Tees- based building restoration company is gearing up for expansion across the UK with a new Managing Director and a six-figure investment from UKSE, the Tata Steel business-support subsidiary.
Facades has been acquired by Jon Cartwright who has ambitious plans to build on the reputation that the specialist firm has built up over nearly four decades, grow the client list and create new jobs.
The Middlesbrough-based company is known for its technical expertise that includes expert care for historic buildings and the development of specialist, cost-effective techniques for the removal of coatings. Facades has completed more than 2000 projects, many of them high profile or for heritage sites and clients include leading construction companies, local authorities, architects and surveyors.
The company repairs, restores and cleans building facades with drones used, if needed, to provide highly detailed surveys. It deals with the removal of atmospheric pollutants, graffiti, bird droppings and algae as well as carrying out restoration, bird proofing, surface coating and the replacement of damaged carved stonework.
Teesside-born Jon’s career includes experience at Managing Director level with leading companies in sectors from construction and offshore to energy.
“In that time I was responsible for a number of acquisitions and did often think about an opportunity coming along for me to acquire my own company,” he said. “I knew that Facades was the right company for me when it came along and the UKSE investment and backing has helped me realise that dream.”
Peter Taylor, UKSE’s Business Development Manager, said: “Facades is a high quality business with a sound client base and an excellent reputation. There is also real potential for expansion and we are pleased that we could help with an investment under the government-backed Recovery Loan Scheme. We wish Jon well and have every confidence in the company’s future.”
Facades is particularly busy across the North East and Yorkshire but operates nationwide and Jon Cartwright plans to access the untapped opportunities across the UK.
“Our current team of eight, which has a highly impressive 120 years of expertise between them, will be growing in the near future to allow for that expansion and the fact that we have already brought some sub-contracted services in-house,” he said. “Facades is an approved heritage supplier, member of the Stone Federation of Great Britain and in demand for a lot of specialised projects.
“David Wilson, our corporate finance adviser from Clive Owen, introduced me to UKSE as a potential investor and, alongside Marc Allison and Nick Gray from lawyers Weightmans, they have all supported me right through this process.”
David Wilson, Corporate Finance Director at Clive Owen LLP said: “It’s been a pleasure to work with Jon on this acquisition. Facades is another great example of a successful, long established Tees Valley business and, given Jon’s exceptional track record to date, I am looking forward to following their progress as they look to deliver on their exciting plans for growth.”
Marc Allison, Partner at Weightmans, said: “Facades is a fantastic Teesside business and will greatly benefit from Jon’s vast experience, supported by UKSE, in order to achieve growth plans in the coming years.”
The Recovery Loan Scheme is managed by the British Business Bank on behalf of, and with the financial backing of, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. British Business Bank plc is a development bank wholly owned by HM Government. It is not authorised or regulated by the PRA or the FCA. Visit british-business-bank.co.uk.
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