Inclusive Employers is the UK’s leading inclusion and diversity (I&D) specialist and are the first in the industry to deliver a membership model, supported with training, consultancy and qualifications, to over 500 household name clients. Inclusive Employers also organise their flagship event, National Inclusion Week, which involved over 4,000 businesses in 2022 in progressing their I&D outlook and strategy.
The business is Palatine’s first investment from its second impact fund and is aligned with Inclusive Employers’ values to continue to deliver tangible change in creating global inclusive workplaces.
Having founded the business over 10 years ago, the shareholders wished to step back from the business while safeguarding the authenticity of its strategy and management team. Our M&A team were appointed due to our track record of credentials in the consultancy and training sector, as well as our own commitment to improving I&D.
Building on our wealth of expertise in the sector, Inclusive Employers appointed us early to expertly manage the sale of the business, to assess the strategic options available and tailor the right approach and solution whilst leveraging our extensive relationships in the sector.
We executed a full sale preparation phase, which ultimately culminated in a highly competitive process and considerable value realisation for the founder shareholder group.
Under Palatine’s ownership, Inclusive Employers will seek to gain scale and will benefit from investment in its business development team, while maintaining the founding principles of the business.
Accelerating the growth plan for the business comes at a particularly pertinent time, given I&D remains at the top of many corporate agendas.
The Grant Thornton M&A team delivered a really successful financial outcome through their understanding of the market and an in-depth understanding of our business. The team leveraged their extensive transaction expertise through the process, demonstrating their determination to close a deal, which ultimately delivered a result above our expectations. Palatine have a history of demonstrating alignment with our values and mission, and we are delighted to be part of the their portfolio and are excited to see the business continue to flourish and amplify the impact across the breadth and depth of I&D it has become renowned for.
Claire Williams Managing Director, Inclusive Employers Limited
