Management Due Diligence specialists, The Quinn Partnership has advised Palatine Private Equity on it’s secondary buyout of Verdant Leisure, a holiday park group currently operating four holiday parks based in Southern Scotland and the North East.

Established in September 2010 by an experienced management team led by CEO Graham Hodgson, Verdant has capitalised on the growing trend towards ‘staycations’ in the UK. To date the team has acquired four parks comprising of Thurston Manor and Pease Bay in September 2010, Viewfield Manor in July 2011 and Riverside in January 2012.

Palatine has acquired a majority stake in the business and will work alongside the existing management team of CEO Graham Hodgson, Operations Director Bev Dixon and CFO Andrew Wall. Ronnie Peters will join the Board as Sales Director. The deal provides an exit for RJD Partners who backed the original buyout in 2010. The investment from Palatine will support further development and organic growth across the existing parks as well as providing funding for further acquisitions.

Graham Hodgson, CEO at Verdant Leisure, said: “We have made great strides in the holiday park sector with the support of our previous partners, RJD. Palatine’s impressive portfolio and proven track record of growing entrepreneurial businesses made them the ideal partner and their support will enable us to identify new acquisition targets as well as making improvements to our current locations. We are excited about the future of Verdant Leisure as we start a new chapter with Palatine.”

Ed Fazakerley, Partner at Palatine Private Equity, said: “The growing trend towards ‘staycations’ in the UK and the increased demand for holiday accommodation in premium locations means the business has enormous growth potential. We have been impressed by the expertise of the management team and look forward to developing a strong relationship as we seek to drive further expansion.”

Mike Stiles, Director at The Quinn Partnership said “Lead by Graham Hodgson, Verdant Leisure are positioning themselves to take advantage of the continued trend in staycations. With an experienced team and in partnership with Palatine, they looked well placed for further growth”.

To contact us regarding Management Due Diligence or other services please email enquiries@thequinnpartnership.co.uk