Equistone-backed WHP Telecoms acquires Redhall Network Solutions

WHP Telecoms Limited (“WHP”) has acquired Redhall Network Solutions (“Redhall”) from Enact Fund II (“Enact”).

Redhall Network Solutions is a leading service provider to the mobile telecommunications and broadcast sectors providing service, maintenance and upgrade capabilities to the mobile phone infrastructure, in addition to the commissioning and integration of 2, 3, 4 and 5G networks.

Based near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, the business employs highly skilled engineers who provide specialist services to the Mobile Network Operators and telephony infrastructure providers.

Enact acquired Redhall in 2019 following the insolvency of its parent company Redhall Group Plc, supporting the MBO by the founding management team of Gavin and Simon Rabbitt.

Headquartered in Warrington with seven offices and workforce of c.700 people, private equity-backed WHP is a market-leading provider of infrastructure support and deployment services to the UK telecommunications industry. WHP works closely with all the key parties in the industry offering a complete range of in-house, multi-disciplinary capabilities.

Equistone Partners Europe (Equistone) completed the management buyout of WHP in 2018 and set out a strategy to grow organically and through strategic acquisitions. Under the leadership of CEO Rob Potter, WHP made its first acquisition in December 2019 of project management company providing end-to-end solutions for the UK’s mobile and fixed line network operators Sitec Infrastructure Services Ltd. The merger created a group with a turnover in excess of £100m, in addition to providing a platform for WHP to enter the fast growing and dynamic fibre market.

This latest transaction provides WHP the opportunity to in-source robust maintenance and update capabilities, further strengthening its position in the sector.

Rob Potter, CEO of WHP, said: “The acquisition of Redhall Network Solutions represents another step in the group’s ability to deliver high-quality services to the telecoms industry. WHP have a long-standing relationship with the team at Redhall and are delighted to be welcoming Gavin, Simon and the whole team into the group. We continue to invest in skills, training and innovation and believe the combined strengths of the businesses will benefit our customers and help to deliver the ambitious programmes that underpin the UK’s communication networks.”

Gavin Rabbitt, Managing Director of Redhall Networks, said: “We are delighted to announce the agreement with WHP today and it is a testament to the whole team at Redhall who have continued to deliver high quality work throughout the challenges of the last two years. The team are committed to Redhall’s customer base and are looking forward to the opportunities that being part of the WHP group will bring.”

Chris Cormack, Partner at Enact, said: “It has been a pleasure to support Redhall Networks over the last two years. This transaction is the first exit from Enact Fund II which was launched in May 2019. Gavin and Simon Rabbitt are a very knowledgeable senior management team with over 60 combined years of experience in the telecoms industry. We are delighted to have been part of Redhall’s journey and believe that with the support of WHP as their new owners they will continue to prosper from the continued roll out of 5G installations and upgrades.”

Clearwater International supported WHP with corporate finance and debt advisory services on the transaction, with Addleshaw Goddard providing legal advice and due diligence, and PwC providing financial due diligence.

Redhall was advised by Mazars and Womble Bond Dickinson.