Rockpool acquires Smyle

Kenny Wastell
03 May 2018

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Rockpool Investments has acquired a majority stake in British events agency Smyle.

Following the deal, Smyle's existing management team will retain a significant minority stake and will continue to run the company.

According to a statement, the company increased its turnover by 23% in the year ending in March 2017 and is projected to increase it by a further 69% in the year ending in March 2018.

As part of the deal, former Events International Group managing director Chad Lion-Cachet has been appointed a executive chairperson.

Company
Founded in 1997, Hertford-headquartered Smyle is an events company. Its client base primarily comprises businesses from the tech, media, IT, finance and pharmaceutical sectors. The company has a headcount of 70 and is projected to report a turnover of around £28m in the year ending in March 2018, with an operating profit of around £2.5m, according to the statement.

Smyle has worked on events at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mobile World Congress, the UEFA Champions League Final and Ryder Cup, for clients including Samsung, Facebook, Salesforce, EY, BT and ARM.

People
Rockpool Investments – Anthony Francis (investment director); Richard Morrison (investment manager); Martin van Diggelen (investment executive).
Smyle – Rick Stainton (CEO).

Advisers
Equity – Charles Russell Speechlys, Malcolm MacDougall (legal); Roffe Swayne, Anu Tayal (financial due diligence); HMT, Andrew Thomson, Adrian Howells (corporate finance).
Management – Lupton Fawcett, Neil Large (legal); Pitmans (legal); Menzies (tax).