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EMC lead the sale of In Situ Site Investigation to Palatine backed CTS Group

22nd Aug

In Situ Site Investigation Limited (“In Situ”), a leader in Cone Penetration Testing, Pressuremeter techniques and ground investigation services has been sold to Palatine backed CTS Group in a deal led by Ryan Smith and Michael Pay at EMC Corporate Finance.

With headquarters in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, In Situ employs 37 staff and operates internationally.  The company is a well-established ground investigation services business founded in 2008 by Managing Director Darren Ward which has grown steadily over the years expanding its services across a broad range of investigation disciplines.

Phil Coles, Chief Executive of the CTS Group said:

“With this latest acquisition, we are creating a premier construction testing, consulting, inspection and compliance company and I’m delighted to welcome the In Situ Site Investigation team to the CTS Group. In Situ Site Investigation is an extraordinary company with a fantastic service offering and team, an incredible reputation and we are thrilled that they are joining the CTS Group.

For more information please see: https://www.constructiontesting.co.uk

Darren Ward, Managing Director of In Situ Site Investigation continued:

“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the business, one where we will be able to accelerate our vision of providing quality site investigation services and continuing to deliver for our clients. I’m delighted to be supporting the future growth of the combined business and integration process.

The EMC team, led by Ryan Smith and Michael Pay demonstrated the value of having good advisors right from the outset. Their deal experience and negotiating skill helped us deliver a fantastic outcome and I could not be more grateful for their support.”

For more information please see: https://www.insitusi.com

Ryan Smith, Director of EMC added:

“It was a pleasure to act for Darren and the team at In Situ to deliver this transaction. In a technical sector they have built a very strong business based around customer service and project delivery, which is set to continue to flourish as part of the CTS Group.

This transaction demonstrates once again the appetite for Private Equity to deploy follow capital for acquisitions. At EMC we continue to see a high level of M&A interest in the region as private equity seek to execute buy and build strategies.”


In Situ Site Investigation Limited was advised by EMC (Ryan Smith and Michael Pay as lead advisors) and Gaby Hardwicke (Mark Williams and Beth Ronnie as legal advisors).

CTS Group was advised by Browne Jacobson (Legal) and Grant Thornton (FDD and Tax).

For further information please contact EMC Corporate finance on +44 1273 945984 or email ryans@emcltd.co.uk

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