Birketts has advised global FM service provider Atalian Servest on their acquisition of the Incentive FM group of companies, one of the largest independently-owned providers of specialist facilities services across the UK.

Founded in 2002 by Jeremy Waud, Incentive set out to bring a fresh, dynamic approach to facilities management based on quality and results. Over the course of the following twenty years the business built through organic growth and acquisitions into a group with revenues of circa £100 million, employing almost 3,000 personnel.

Atalian Servest is one of the world’s largest most forward-thinking facilities services organisations. Atalian Servest has a turnover of €3 billion and employs in excess of 125,000 people worldwide, operating globally throughout 33 countries and across four continents (Europe, Africa, Asia and North America). The value of the deal has not been disclosed.

Corporate partner Rafael Ruiz led the team advising Atalian Servest, which included Alex Forwood (Corporate), Elliot Taylor (Corporate), Matthew Adamson (Commercial), Nicholas West (Employment), Matthew Grindley (Real Estate), Robbie Watson (Corporate Tax) and Kitty Rosser (Commercial and Data Protection).

Daniel Dickson, CEO Atalian Servest UK & Ireland, commented: “The acquisition is part of our ambition to accelerate our growth trajectory within the UK & Ireland. We are looking forward to driving value and building strategic partnerships with Incentive FM’s clients, while offering a wider range of services to our existing client portfolio. The Birketts team were fantastic throughout this transaction – thorough, plain speaking and they ensured our timing and costs expectations were met.”

Speaking after the deal, Rafael added: “It was a pleasure to once again advise Atalian Servest on their latest acquisition. Their resources and strategy will see Incentive’s business play a key role in the sector in the future, and the transaction demonstrated once again the strength in depth and responsive, pragmatic service Birketts’ Corporate Team is known for.”