Three Hills Capital Partners (THCP) has invested in Recycling Lives Limited (Recycling Lives), a leading UK recycling and waste management solutions provider.
The company operates a fully- integrated business model and provides total waste management for corporates and local authorities and is capable of processing a range of material including scrap metals, waste electrical and electronic equipment, plastics and cardboard.
Recycling Lives was founded in 2008 by brothers Steve and Danny Jackson and is led day-to- day by CEO Will Fletcher. The company ensures the success of its commercial operations deliver more than just environmental and economic value – they also create tangible social value through programmes including:
1) HMP Academies to support offender rehabilitation;
2) A Residential Programme to support people at risk of homelessness to regain their independence; and
3) Food Redistribution supporting charitable groups to feed local communities.
Recycling Lives has won numerous awards for its charitable work including the Queen’s Award for Enterprise. Headquartered in Preston, Recycling Lives partners with a number of blue-chip corporates and local authorities. The Company has more than 425 employees nationally and has grown rapidly to over GBP70 million in revenues.
THCP is partnering with Recycling Lives to support future organic and inorganic growth initiatives, and for the management team to increase their shareholding, through an innovative preferred capital solution. Steve Jackson will remain closely involved as Chairman and, along with Danny and the wider management team, also retain a significant equity stake in the Company going forward.
Steve Jackson OBE, Founder and Chairman of Recycling Lives, says: “This transaction represents a key milestone in Recycling Lives’ story. Will and his team have done a fantastic job in leading the development of the business in recent years and I look forward to continuing to support them on both organic and inorganic growth initiatives. I am delighted with the partner we have found in THCP, and the tailored financing solution they have put in place, as well as their shared ethos and support for the social values that are ingrained in the culture of Recycling Lives.”
Will Fletcher, CEO of Recycling Lives, says: “I am excited to lead the business through its next stage of growth as we look to continue building strong relationships with our suppliers and customers, and deliver significant social value in the process. THCP’s solution enables us to do this as well as to have additional fire power to pursue opportunities to expand our national and international footprint on an accelerated basis.”
Mauro Moretti, Founder and Managing Partner at THCP, says: “We are very excited to invest in Recycling Lives and believe there are significant opportunities to build on the successes of the Company – in particular through leveraging our pan-European network. We have been highly impressed by Recycling Lives throughout, and are fully supportive of their social value and environmental ethos.”
Joe Jefferies, UK coverage at THCP, says: “We are delighted to back the Recycling Lives’ team in this new phase of growth and to partner with a set of outstanding entrepreneurs. This transaction represents our commitment to backing ambitious management teams across the UK, who are looking for an alternative solution to traditional private equity structures.”
Recycling Lives was advised by Grant Thornton (Corporate Finance and Tax) and Pinsent Masons (Legal). THCP was advised by CMS (Legal), PwC (Financial), Drystone (Commercial), EY (Tax), Livingstone (Corporate Finance), SLR (Environmental) and Marsh (Insurance).