Cosegic

Founded in 2003, COSEGIC (formerly Compliancy Services Limited) is a market leader in its sector.

Background

COSEGIC addresses an attractive growing market driven by regulatory change and provides business-critical services to a broad spread of regulated financial services clients. They help clients become authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (‘FCA’) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (‘PRA’) and manage their ongoing compliance and regulatory obligations.

The transaction facilitates the retirement of founder Iain Stephen, with majority shareholder and current Chairman Ben Mason retaining a significant minority shareholding in the business and staying as a Non-Executive Director.

In partnering with industry veteran Philip Naughton as CEO, the buyout presents an opportunity to continue to support its clients who face an ever-increasing regulatory burden via regulatory updates, consultations and thematic reviews and providing a cost-effective outsourced and partner solution for clients’ compliance function.

Outcome

In June 2022, the company completed the bolt-on of Portman Compliance, owned and led by Nancy King, after which the enlarged group became known as Cosegic. The combination enabled Cosegic to double the size of its specialist funds team and boost the company’s overall headcount to close to 60 staff, servicing over 800 clients across its specialist teams. The deal saw Portman’s portfolio of over 150 clients, the majority of which were hedge funds and private equity businesses, serviced within the rebranded Cosegic business. In November 2022, Adam Holden joined as CFO. In March 2024, Ethos accounced the sale of Cosegic to MML Capital.

Cosegic were advised by Arrowpoint Advisory (corporate finance), HCR (legal), Grant Thornton (financial), CIL (commercial), Quantuma (management advice) and Shoosmiths (management legals).

Status

Realised

Country

United Kingdom

Strategy

Private Equity

Sector

Business & Financial Services

Entry

March 2021

Exit

May 2024

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”Scott and the wider Ethos team were hugely supportive in helping me and my team realise our vision for Cosegic and in particular our merger with Portman Compliance. From my first meeting with members of the Ethos team back in late 2020, I was very impressed by how personable and open they were. From the outset I had a good sense that they were the right fit as backers of Cosegic in terms of culture, outlook, drive and passion and I wasn’t proven wrong. I would highly recommend Ethos to any business seeking a true partnership involving private equity backing.
Philip NaughtonCEO

”The partnership with Cosegic has been a very successful journey driven by an outstanding management team. The company has delivered an impressive performance, growing considerably both organically and through the acquisition of Portman Compliance, and we believe that Cosegic is well positioned to continue its growth story. We have been delighted to support Philip, Nancy and Adam during this phase of the company’s growth.
Scott BannermanInvestment Director at Ethos

”It has been a pleasure to support Ethos and the Cosegic team on this important transaction for the business. In MML, the team has found an experienced and supportive backer to continue their impressive story, and we thoroughly looking forward to seeing the business thrive going forward.
Will EvansDirector at Arrowpoint Advisory

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