Hill Dickinson has advised the shareholders of Next Energy Solutions Ltd, a provider of heating, energy saving and renewable solutions, in relation to the significant investment into the company by Certas Energy.
Founded in 2016, Next Energy has become one of the UK’s fastest growing renewable energy installers, supporting local authorities and housing associations with reducing energy costs, improving energy efficiency and rolling out renewable energy measures in social housing stock. Based in Knowsley, Merseyside, with a 120-strong team, the carbon reduction specialist provides support with public funding scheme applications, in addition to the installation of energy efficiency retrofit measures, including air source heat pumps, insulation and solar photovoltaic systems.
Certas is the UK’s largest off grid energy provider and forms part of the DCC plc group of companies – an international FTSE 100 business operating internationally as a sales, marketing and business support services group.
Certas’ investment into Next Energy marks a significant milestone in its commitment to powering the energy transition and making net zero a reality for homes and businesses across the UK. Next Energy’s inclusion in Certas Energy’s expanding renewable energy network is testament to their shared vision of sustainability and environmental stewardship. The two companies will be working together to provide turnkey solutions that deliver essential improvements to the energy efficiency of UK households through retrofit schemes.
Leading on the provision of legal advice to the shareholders of Next Energy was Hill Dickinson corporate partner and the Head of its Liverpool office, Matt Noon, assisted by senior associate, Lizzie Jones. Grant Thornton (led by Matthew G Bryden-Smith and Simon Keppie) provided lead corporate finance services to the Next Energy shareholders.
Matt Noon said:
“We are delighted to have supported the shareholders of Next Energy with this significant transaction. I have no doubt that this will prove to be a very successful investment for Certas and DCC given the quality of the Next Energy business and its management team. It was a great deal to work on.”
Next Energy Managing Director Lee McNally added:
“This is an exciting new chapter for our business, bolstering our prominence and power in the renewables market. Together with Certas Energy and DCC, we can continue to build a solid foundation to meet the escalating demand for the UK’s renewable energy services. Given the scale and complexity of the deal, it was important for us to be surrounded by advisers who understood our business and who we knew we could trust. Matt and Lizzie at Hill Dickinson were great for us in that regard – they were pro-active at all times and provided us with commercially-focused and pragmatic advice throughout the deal. Both were a pleasure to deal and work with, along with the rest of the Hill Dickinson team.”
