Charles Russell Speechlys advises Civica on the acquisition of Nationwide Retail Systems Limited
Charles Russell Speechlys has advised the Civica Group (an investee company of Partners Group) on the acquisition of payment systems specialist, Nationwide Retail Systems Limited (NRS).
Based in Barnsley, NRS is an established provider of integrated payment solutions, most notably for the education sector where it is the market leader in cashless catering systems. NRS has more than 2,000 installations with local authority, school and college customers, providing services for over 1 million students and staff on a daily basis, with a growing presence in other sectors from health to hospitality.
The acquisition continues Civica’s strategy to complement organic growth with the bolt on of software-based businesses, which extend the group’s leading position in existing and adjacent market sectors. It adds technologies that Civica does not currently offer (including an effective identity management solution) and will result in an enlarged payments business with the opportunity to expand on the current market presence of both organisations.
Lucy Thorpe, Corporate Senior Associate, commented on the deal “We’re delighted to have advised long-standing client Civica on the acquisition of NRS. The acquisition demonstrates a great start to the year for Civica, being the second bolt on for Civica following the acquisition by its new private equity investor, Partners Group. The transaction further adds to our Corporate team’s experience in the TMT sector, a key growth area for the firm.”
The Charles Russell Speechlys team was led by Corporate Senior Associate Lucy Thorpe and comprised Corporate Associate Alex Stevens, Corporate Tax Partner Robert Birchall, and members of the firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications and Intellectual Property teams.
