Lanes Group, one of the UK's leading providers of water and wastewater services, is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement for significant investment from funds managed by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock, which will take a majority stake in the business. This strategic investment is expected to complete by end October 2024 and will enable Lanes Group to expand its industry-leading activities at greater scale.
With over 4,000 employees, Lanes Group has grown significantly under private ownership since its inception over 30 years ago. The company’s commitment to innovation and exceptional client delivery has positioned it as a key player across the UK water industry, providing critical support to water utilities and private sector businesses from Scotland to the south coast of England.
Lanes Group has achieved impressive growth through strategic acquisitions, from Sapphire Utility Solutions in the northwest, to Clear-flow in the southwest. These developments have strengthened the company’s capabilities and cemented its reputation for delivering innovative solutions across water and wastewater networks.
The company continues to focus on delivering exceptional results whilst maintaining a strong and sustainable growth trajectory. The investment from BlackRock will allow Lanes Group to accelerate its ambitious growth plans, including expanding its service offerings, strengthening customer relationships and investing in new technologies, which will further reinforce the company’s position as a leader in the UK’s wastewater infrastructure sector.
Wayne Earnshaw, CEO of Lanes Group, says:
“We are incredibly excited to welcome BlackRock as our new investment partner. This marks a pivotal moment for Lanes Group as we continue our journey of growth and innovation. While this investment will unlock new opportunities for us to expand and enhance our activities, I want to reassure our clients and partners that it’s very much business as usual. Our focus remains firmly on delivering the same high standards of service and expertise that we are known for, while also driving forward our long-term vision for the future.”
Edward Winter, Head of EMEA for Diversified Infrastructure at Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock, says:
“Lanes Group is a leading provider of mission-critical maintenance and repair works to the water and wastewater infrastructure sector in the UK, offering a scalable platform with a highly resilient business model, underpinned by multi-year customer contracts, the UK’s largest fleet of equipment and strong customer relationships. We look forward to working with Wayne and the management team to continue to deliver reliable, high-quality solutions to customers across the UK and help them meet their requirements in the upcoming regulatory period.”
HSBC acted as sole financial advisor and White & Case acted as legal advisor to Lanes Group. Morgan Stanley acted as sole financial advisor and Linklaters acted as legal adviser to BlackRock.
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