News in Depth (Summer 2009)

Informer Interactive

Accura Support Services

In September 2008, August Equity announced a £37 million buy-in management buy-out of midlands based Accura. Accura is a provider of highly specified business critical components on very short lead times, principally to the oil and gas and aerospace sectors.

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August Equity introduced Simon Armstrong as non executive chairman. Simon is a highly experienced chairman who has worked with August Equity on two investments: InterMed Holdings and Rixonway.<br /> Sam Watkinson, partner at August Equity, said: “Since the acquisition Accura has won several significant accounts in new geographies, including Russia and the Far East. They are keen to increase scale through acquisition and are currently considering a number of bolt-on opportunities.”

For further details of the investment contact Sam Watkinson at sam.watkinson@augustequity.com

Rixonway helps reduce risk of reoffending

August Equity portfolio company Rixonway has agreed to supply kitchen materials to a groundbreaking scheme that aims to teach prisoners new skills and get them back into work to reduce the risk of reoffending. Rixonway is working alongside Working Ventures UK and the Exit to Work programme.

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During the 26 week ‘fitted interiors’ course, prisoners will learn how to design and fit their own kitchens and bathrooms. As well as providing the kitchen materials for teaching purposes, Rixonway’s personnel manager, Rachel Lurc, will teach interview skills and key staff will deliver presentations on fitting kitchens to enhance the practical training.

Ian Grant, partner at August Equity, said: “The latest initiative adds to Rixonway’s well established record in corporate social responsibility. They have a substantial recycling scheme for used kitchens, use sustainable timber in production and offset their carbon emissions.

For further details contact Ian Grant at ian.grant@augustequity.com

Imagine launches NowGamer.com

August Equity’s portfolio company Imagine has recently launched a major videogames website, NowGamer.com – the first of its planned series of ‘supersites’ to launch in 2009 and 2010.

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NowGamer.com uses the latest web development technology to allow users to completely customise the home page layout to suit their own tastes; dictating what gaming content they want to see and the ability to move items around the page scheme to create a personalised version of this revolutionary site.

The website covers all current videogames formats – PS3, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, DS, PC and Mac/iPhone, as well as all major classic gaming formats since 1995. It offers daily news, previews, reviews, videos, cheats/guides, features, blogs, forums, and weekly software sales charts and podcasts.

Imagine has a portfolio of 19 magazines and 22 websites in the videogames, computing, entertainment and digital photography markets.

For further details contact Sam Watkinson at sam.watkinson@augustequity.com

Investor of the Year

August Equity has again been nominated for the accolade of Investor of the Year at the HealthInvestor Awards, an award which was won by the team in 2008.

 

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The nomination is a reflection of the busy time the healthcare team has had since January 2008. They have completed the bolt-on of Kentwood for Lifeways Community Care, the £75 million sale of Healthcare Homes Group, a buy-and-build investment that completed eight acquisitions in two years, and the Enara homecare buy-and-build.

The winner of the prestigious award will be announced on 3 June.

For further details contact Philip Rattle at philip.rattle@augustequity.com

New website

August Equity’s new look website can be viewed at augustequity.com. We have always taken communication with our network very seriously and so have made the website more user friendly and highlighted how we work with management teams to drive growth in their businesses.

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The new look includes a host of new images, more detailed portfolio company profiles and a new Touchpoint resource centre with sector commentaries and portfolio company updates.

New lease of Life(ways)

Lifeways Community Care has recently launched a new look website, www.lifeways.co.uk. The website has become a resource centre displaying information about the services offered, latest developments in care and support and a means of researching the financing of care.

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Lifeways, backed by August Equity in July 2007, is a market leading provider of supported living for people with complex needs.

For further details contact Aatif Hassan at aatif.hassan@augustequity.com

Rewarding times

August Equity portfolio company 4Projects' software solution was named “Document &amp; Content Management Software of the Year” at the Computing Construction Awards in November 2008.

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Richard Vertigan, managing director of 4Projects, said: “The award is a great testament to all of the team for their hard work and passion that makes 4Projects a continued success.

For further details contact Fraser Davidson at fraser.davidson@augustequity.com

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