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Aberdeen Asset Managers Private Equity backs EDSR management buy-out

Aberdeen Asset Managers Private Equity ("AAMPE" or "Aberdeen") has backed the management buy-out of EDSR, a provider of specialist services to the land decontamination sector.

Operating nationally from offices in Yorkshire and Kent, EDSR provides turn key solutions and project management to assist owners of disused industrial sites in meeting their regulatory decontamination obligations and, if possible, to realise development value by returning remediated sites to sustainable use. EDSR's skill set includes site investigation and solution design, process engineering, contract management and liaison with regulatory and planning authorities.

The deal represents Aberdeen's second investment in the environmental services sector in the last three months, following the acquisition of water treatment specialist Enpure in November of last year.

Aberdeen and the management team provided equity funding, Yorkshire Bank provided the senior debt and working capital facilities for the transaction and HSBC provided an asset financing line.

The management team of EDSR is led By Managing Director Tom Brankley who has developed the business since 2002 as a division of Euro Dismantling Services Limited, a Sheffield based business providing a range of specialist demolition services.

Colin Stirling led the deal for Aberdeen and will join the Board of EDSR. The full Aberdeen transaction team also included Joe Wiley, Ian Slater, Craig Hopwood and Denise Emmanuel.

Tom Brankley, Managing Director of EDSR, commented:

"We have had terrific support to help grow our business from our previous shareholder but we are now looking forward to a new chapter in EDSR's development working alongside Aberdeen. We have assembled a strong management team which is providing a unique cradle-to-grave remediation service. EDSR is now extremely well positioned to help our industrial clients to meet their regulatory obligations and, in many cases, to release hidden value from their property portfolios."

Colin Stirling, Director of Investment for AAMPE commented:

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to support Tom Brankley and his team to continue the development of EDSR. The current regulatory and planning regimes, particularly with regard to brownfield development, provide an attractive market dynamic and we are confident that the quality of the EDSR service offering will enable the business to realise the undoubted growth potential."