Goldman Sachs buys majority of £300M UK testing group Celnor
What's the deal? Goldman Sachs Alternatives' private equity arm has agreed to buy a majority stake in Celnor GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a UK-based risk, safety, compliance and testing services provider. Management and existing backer InflexionDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → will stay invested, and the deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, pending regulatory approvals.
What each side brings: Celnor supports more than 20,000 clients in meeting regulatory, safety and environmental requirements across the built environment. Founded in 2023, it now employs more than 2,750 people across 60 locations and generates annual revenues above £300 million.
What's the endgame? Goldman's investment will fund Celnor's next phase of growth, with a focus on expanding in the US and continental Europe. The group plans to keep pursuing targeted acquisitions while investing in technology, talent and operations.
Why now? Celnor has grown quickly in the testing, inspection, certification and compliance (TICC) market, already operating across the UK with a presence in the US and Europe. Founder and chief executive Simon Parrington and his team will continue to lead the business.
"In three years, we have built a strong international platform, underpinned by exceptional people, trusted brands and a shared commitment to our customers," Parrington said.
What they said: Jose Barreto, partner within private equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives, said the firm has "built a close relationship" with the management team since Celnor's formation. He added that it was "impressed" by the team's track record of scaling the group via M&A.
The signal: The deal underscores private equity's appetite for compliance and testing businesses, where tightening regulation drives steady demand. For Celnor, swapping one backer's lead for a larger one signals ambitions to scale a UK platform into a global player.
Read more: insidermedia.com
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