RSK expands portfolio with acquisitions

The latest businesses include Optisol Services Limited, a solar farm cleaning, maintenance and civil works contractor, Non Entry Systems Limited (NESL), who design and manufacture automated equipment for cleaning of difficult access areas and ATV Contract Services Limited, a landscape and countryside management business.

These latest acquisitions, all completed before Christmas, close out another highly acquisitive year for RSK, which saw the group welcome a total of 33 businesses throughout 2021, following 9 in 2020. 

Fuelled by a £1 billion sustainability-linked financing package with Ares Management Corporation, the 2021 acquisitions helped the group transform its turnover from £537m (proforma LTM) at the end of the March 2021 to an estimated current proforma LTM turnover of £860m.

Optisol Services, NESL and ATV Contract Services all fit well with RSK’s technical services offering which supports the group’s aim of playing an active role in helping business and society meet the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by providing end-to-end solutions to its clients.  

Cambridge-based Optisol operates in the renewable energy sector and is reputed for delivering efficient, competitive and large-scale solar farm cleaning, maintenance and civil works services across the UK. The business was established by Sam Crane and Jack Sagar in 2016 after identifying the need for reliable, safe and consistent solar cleaning and maintenance services while working in the agricultural industry.

Large-scale solar production will continue to increase as the UK strives towards its target of generating 100% clean energy by 2025 and Optisol and RSK recognise the demand for cleaning, management and maintenance will increase alongside this. The business has already experienced very strong growth since its formation and holds long-term contracts with several leading renewable energy Operations and Maintenance (O&M) businesses.

Meanwhile, NESL is at the forefront of cutting-edge technology in the design, manufacture and supply of automated equipment for the cleaning of bulk storage tanks, lagoons, sludge re-suspension/treatment and quantification, product movement and materials handling. 

Employing 15 specialists, NESL carries out welding fabrication, machining, electrical design and installation and quality assurance from their Swansea base – skills which will be a welcome addition to the RSK group.

Led by Managing Director Darren Shipton, NESL has a wide, international client base and has supplied equipment to most corners of the world, matching specification to the relevant local standards. 

The third acquisition, ATV Contract Services, is an East Midlands-based landscape and countryside management business led by Marcus Wright and Paul Hensman.  

The business helps to manage landscapes, habitats and ecology throughout the UK. Offering services including flailing, spraying, invasive weed control, landscaping and woodland creation, ATV Contract Services prides itself on fast and safe mobilisation of skilled/professional labour and plant to a range of clients.

Alan Ryder, Founder and CEO of RSK said, “I am delighted to welcome ATV Contract Services, NESL and Optisol Services to the group.  All offer high-calibre services which are increasingly in high demand from our clients. The businesses share a similar culture to our own which will no doubt help to ensure that we work well together. 

"As with most of the businesses we bring into the group, we intend to retain all things that make each of these businesses great, from leadership and workforce through to brand and ethos.  By connecting them with the 120+ other businesses in the RSK family, we will see growth and new opportunities for all.”

Sam Crane, Director of Optisol Services said, “We knew shortly after meeting some of the leadership team at RSK that this would be a good fit for Optisol.  The renewables market needs to grow significantly over the next several years and with the support of RSK, I am confident that we will see continued growth of Optisol to keep up with this market demand."

Darren Shipton, Managing Director of NESL added, “I see countless opportunities for NESL now that we have joined the RSK Group and I’m excited to start progressing these and getting to know more people across the group.”

Marcus Wright, Managing Director of ATV Contract Services added, “The whole team at ATV Contract Services are all really excited to join forces with RSK and become part of the Agriculture, Land and Property Management division.  We’ve built fantastic relationships with our clients over the last 20 years which has led to a solid customer portfolio based on service and high-quality workmanship.  

"By joining RSK, the business will have the ability to grow far more than we could have on our own.”