Lincolnshire-based Cable Telecommunications Training Services, which provides technical training for organisations including Openreach, has been acquired by Telenco Group.
Martyn and Sara Cook, who founded CTTS in 1995, agreed to sell the company to Telenco Group, backed by Ergon Capital. Its new owner aims to continue growing CTTS and expanding it into new markets and territories. Martyn Cook will remain a director in the company to support its future strategy.
CTTS, based in Lincoln, specialises in the design, development and delivery of telecommunications training to leading network operators, equipment and system vendors and installation service providers in the UK. The company launched without any funding to meet the need for training providers to support the rollout of fibre optic cabling in the 1990s. It has since grown into one of the sector’s leading training providers.
Martyn and Sara engaged our services, to secure an exit strategy and explore the potential sale before the company then supported them through to completion.
This involved presenting the business to interested parties, highlighting matches that aligned with Martyn and Sara’s values and vision for the business, and then negotiating the finer details with the chosen buyer. We helped manage the sale process, the supply of information and supported the completion of the sale. In addition, Martyn and Sara’s dedicated adviser provided them with associated tax advice and financial planning support.
Founder of Cable Telecommunications Training Services, Martyn Cook said:
“The sale of a business is extremely daunting but the Duncan & Toplis team was fundamental in identifying the best potential buyers and achieving a better deal than we could have hoped for. The financial terminology and tax implications were completely alien to us, but they patiently guided us through a very complex process.
“Looking back, we are very proud of what we have achieved in helping thousands of people develop new life skills for a dynamic career and it was critical for us to find a buyer who shared our values, aims and ambitions for the business. I’m confident that the business, our employees and our clients will all benefit from this acquisition.”
Director, Damon Brain who worked with Martyn and Sara throughout the sale and who continues to act as a go-between said:
“Selling a business you’ve worked years to build can be emotional and full of uncertainties. It’s important to sell the business at a good price, but that shouldn’t come before the desire to ensure the business will have a safe and sustainable future with new owners who appreciate its potential. We worked hard to find the right buyer for this business, helping Martyn and Sara achieve their goals, secure the best price and ensure the business can go from strength to strength. We’re very proud of the support we’ve given throughout this sale and am sure the company will go from strength to strength with its new owners.”
Founded in 1999 and located near Grenoble in France, Telenco is a key player in the production and distribution of passive telecommunications and technician equipment, used mainly in the deployment of fibre optic and copper networks. The Group has a global presence and achieves sales of over €150 million in around 50 countries. The UK market will provide significant growth opportunities for the Telenco Group for the coming years, supporting its international growth strategy as a leader in the supply of passive equipment of fibre optic telecommunications networks.
To find out more about Duncan & Toplis’ corporate finance services, click here.
