Protek Fencing Completes Multi-Million Pound Management Buy-Out
Deal News | Aug 07, 2025 | Mercia Fund Management (Mercia Ventures)
Protek Fencing, a leading UK contractor specializing in motorway crash barriers, has undergone a significant management buy-out backed by Mercia Debt. The MBO facilitates the transition of control to Managing Director Kristoffer Sharp and Commercial Manager Matthew Pickering, with a retirement of former Contracts Director Scott Clayton. The company, based in Leeds, secured funding from Mercia's SME Loans fund and NPIF II Mercia Debt Finance, aiming to support its expansion into larger frameworks and bridge parapets. The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, which covers the North of England, has provided financial support to spur economic growth and drive regional business momentum.
Sectors
- Infrastructure Construction
- Private Equity & Investment Management
Geography
- United Kingdom – Protek Fencing is based in Leeds, and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II services businesses across the North of England.
Industry
- Infrastructure Construction – Protek Fencing operates within the infrastructure sector, focusing on building and installing motorway crash barriers and related systems.
- Private Equity & Investment Management – Mercia Fund Management and the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund are involved, indicating activity in the private equity and investment management sector.
Financials
- Multi-million pound – The funding secured for the management buy-out of Protek Fencing.
- £660 million – The total capital of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II, which supports SMEs in the North of England.
- £25k to £2 million – The range of loans provided by NPIF II for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Up to £5 million – The upper limit of equity investment provided by NPIF II.
Participants
| Name | Role | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Protek Fencing | Target Company | Company | A leading motorway crash barrier contractor based in Leeds, UK. |
| Mercia Fund Management (Mercia Ventures) | Private Equity Firm | Company | Investor supporting the management buy-out of Protek Fencing through its SME Loans fund. |
| Kristoffer Sharp | Managing Director of Protek Fencing | Person | New leader post-MBO and part of the acquiring management team. |
| Matthew Pickering | Commercial Manager of Protek Fencing | Person | Part of the new management team post-MBO. |
| Scott Clayton | Former Contracts Director of Protek Fencing | Person | Retiring post-MBO. |
| Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II) | Investor | Company | Provides funding across the North of England, facilitating the MBO of Protek Fencing. |
| British Business Bank | Investment Management | Company | Manages NPIF II that supports regional business growth. |