Expolink, the contact centre that operates confidential whistleblowing hotlines for major employers, has been acquired from its founders in a management buyout.
The Chippenham-based firm, which was launched in 1995, employs more than 200 people at its contact centre. Over the past few years it has had an annual growth rate of more than 12%. Its new owners said further growth in the UK and across the world was on the cards following the buyout.
The firm provides whistleblowing hotline services to corporate, government, non-profit and blue-chip clients, including a fifth of FTSE 100 listed companies.
It also works on customer contact for businesses such as Swindon-based home and garden retailer Scotts & Co, Crew Clothing, toy retailer The Entertainer and Sutton and East Surrey Water.
Following the buyout, founding directors David and Jackie Crook will leave the business to retire.
The existing management team remains unchanged with managing director Dominic Mehta staying in post along with finance director Kate Hewitt.
John Wilson, who has more than 15 years’ experience of the whistleblowing hotline market, has been appointed as CEO. He sold his whistleblowing hotline firm InTouch MCS to Expolink in 20014 and later launched it into the Indian market.
Nick Bacon, who has more than 25 years’ experience in the private equity sector, has been appointed chairman.
Dominic Mehta said: “David and Jackie must be commended for building Expolink into an established market leader in multiple sectors and one of the area’s largest employers.
“Our growth to date has been exceptional and our new premises, which we acquired last year, provide sufficient capacity to double our operational capability. The new management team is relishing the challenge of leading the company to the next level, expanding our services into new sectors and further growing the business.”
John Wilson added: “I am delighted to be joining the Expolink team at this exciting time and look forward to playing a major role in helping the company to take advantage of new opportunities across every area of the business.
“We are already instigating ambitious growth strategies to drive further expansion and consolidate our leading position in markets around the world.”
The Birmingham office of commercial law firm Gateley advised on management buyout, financial details of which have not been disclosed.
