Specialist charity fundraising services provider The Woods Group, which works with major organisations such as RSPB, National Trust and Motability, has been bought by its management team.
The Chippenham-based firm stages raffles, weekly lotteries, response handling and fulfilment allowing its charity clients to concentrate on core fundraising campaigns. 
The deal, financial details of which have not been disclosed, was backed by Santander and Concertare Partners, the private equity investment vehicle lead by Nick Baker, who previously led the growth of Sharps Brewery and several other businesses.
The transaction provides the existing shareholders with an exit. Woods managing director Ian Scarr said: “We are delighted to have found a partner who shares our long-term values for the business and with similar long-term growth aspirations. We are looking forward to working with Nick and the Concertare team over the coming years.”
Nick Baker added: “We are delighted to be able to provide support to Woods and we are looking forward to enabling the business to continue to provide outstanding services to their clients in the charitable sector. Woods is an outstanding business with a core focus on providing high quality services to the charitable sector.”
The deal was secured by a group of West corporate advisers including, for Woods’ management team, accountants Bishop Fleming, which has an office in Bath (taxation), Swindon law firm Clark Holt (legal), Exeter-based Isca Ventures (lead advisory) with bank funding provided by Santander. The exiting shareholders were advised by accountants Baker Tilly, which has an office in Bristol, and law firm Withy King, which has an office in Bath.
Concertare received legal advice from Bristol firm TLT while accountants Grant Thornton, which has an office in Bristol, undertook financial due diligence.
