Limerston Capital portfolio company Axiom International Limited (Axiom) has completed the acquisition of Torchlight Group Limited (Torchlight).
London based Axiom is a specialist in the provision of strategic capacity building programmes, institutional and public sector reform, peace-building and national security development. It forms part of the larger Limerston Capital-backed AFA International, led by CEO and Axiom Co-Founder Prof Angela Gallop, CBE. This is AFA International’s second acquisition following the formation of the group in 2020.
Based in Swindon, Torchlight specialises in the provision of security and development services, delivering programmes on behalf of bilateral and multi-lateral donors, including the UK (FCDO, MOD, Home Office and NCA), the UN and USAID, to support beneficiary governments in building capacity and developing capability to address the underlying drivers of serious and organised crime, irregular and illegal migration, counter-extremism, and counter-terrorism.
The acquisition of Torchlight is the next step of an ambitious growth strategy aimed at creating a leading international security and criminal justice capacity building organisation.
Martim Avillez and Joao Rosa Limerston Capital Founding Partners, says: “The acquisition of Torchlight is an important milestone for Limerston Capital’s investment in the international security and criminal justice capacity building space. Combining Axiom’s outstanding strategic capacity building programme delivery with Torchlight’s leading defence, strategic communications and cyber capabilities will further enhance the reach and service provision of the group. We are delighted to have supported Chris and the Axiom management team in this transaction.”
Chris Gregg, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Axiom, says: “We are delighted and look forward to working with Ed Dickson and the outstanding Torchlight team going forward. Ed has built a formidable capability in delivering outstanding programmes across the world. The combination of Axiom and Torchlight will take our client focused approach to a whole new level, and we’re extremely excited about the future. The businesses are in a fantastic position to deliver further growth in the coming years working with the experienced team at Limerston Capital.”
Ed Dickson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Torchlight Group, says: “We are very excited by the opportunity to join forces with Axiom International, bringing together world class expertise in security and development, and Limerston Capital, who are dedicated to realising organisational potential and leading ambitious growth strategies. We are immensely proud of all that we have achieved at Torchlight since our inception in 2011 and look forward to this new chapter with such credible and ambitious partners, who share our desire to bring enduring security and stability where it is needed most in the world.”
