Premier, the leading Testing, Inspection & Certification sector M&A specialist, is pleased to announce that it has advised Professional Soils Laboratory Ltd (PSL) , the leading geotechnical soil testing business, on its sale to Phenna Group, a newly formed TICC buy and build group.

Professional Soils Laboratory Ltd is a fully independent UKAS accredited geotechnical and materials testing facility which was established in July 2004. Based in Doncaster with a team of 40 + laboratory and field staff, PSL has quickly become one of the leading geotechnical laboratories in the country.

Anthony Watkins and Russell Gunson, Co-Managing Directors of PSL will continue in their current roles, alongside the company’s dedicated team of professionals.

“We are delighted to become part of the Phenna Group portfolio of companies.  The company has strong experience in the TICC sector and demonstrated close alignment with our values and entrepreneurial spirit” Mr Watkins says.  “Selecting the right partner was very important to Russell and I and we both firmly believe Phenna Group will support our continued growth and expansion for many years to come”.

Paul Barry, Group CEO of Phenna Group said: “I’m very excited to welcome PSL to our portfolio.  The company fits closely with our strategy of creating a differentiated group of niche TICC businesses, with a global footprint.  I’m looking forward to working with Anthony, Russell and their team to deliver their continued growth”.

Brendan Farrell, from Premier’s London office commented, “It was a great pleasure working with the founders of PSL and we are delighted with the outcome of the transaction. Anthony and Russell and the PSL team have built a very impressive business, transforming the geotechnical testing sector. The combination with Phenna will accelerate growth of PSL and we wish the newly combined team the very best of luck as they embark on a new phase of growth.”

Premier marketed the business generating strategic valuations from UK and international acquirers. Premier assisted with bidder selection and provided guidance throughout the process, through to completion.

Advising on the sale of PSL cements Premier’s position as the leading M&A adviser in the environmental testing & inspection market, following on from 18 previous deals successfully completed in the sector.