CDS has acquired an electrical testing and compliance specialist as part of its ‘buy and build’ strategy to expand its services across the UK.
The purchase of Durham-based Safety Checked Ltd, whose core focus is on PAT testing, emergency light testing and EICR, will enable CDS to offer additional services to its growing customer base.
It follows the acquisition last year of water and energy consultancy Genex and represents the fourth compliance specialism to be offered within the wider CDS stable, alongside fire, water and energy compliance.
Safety Checked offers its services to the university, student accommodation, education and facilities management sectors – areas in which CDS has more than thirty years’ expertise.
The purchase consolidates CDS’ recent investment within the North East, which saw the opening of an office in Durham, although the electrical compliance services will be offered nationally.
Safety Checked owners Martin Hurton and Richard Leckenby will remain with the business.
CDS chairman Simon Cashmore said: “We’re pleased to welcome Martin, Richard and the Safety Checked team to the growing CDS family. Their experience and expertise mean we can add another string to our compliance bow. As well as our capabilities in fire detection and life safety, water and energy, it means we can now offer electrical testing through this NICEIC accredited business.
“This is the latest stage in our ‘buy and build’ strategy which sees us expand both our geographical reach and the range of services we offer. This should make life more streamlined for facilities managers needing to source expertise in various compliance competencies.”
Richard Leckenby added: “We’re delighted to be joining CDS. Our expertise in electrical compliance brings extra capability to the group and supports CDS’ regional expansion in the North East.”
Martin Hurton added: “I’m excited about supercharging our regional development and looking forward to seeing the business grow nationally by becoming part of the CDS group.”
Simon Cashmore and CDS managing director Simon Abley, who acquired CDS in 2020, were the team behind outdoor services specialist TCL Group. They grew the business 14-fold over 12 years up to 2019. Its expansion was achieved in a similar way – through strategic acquisition of complementary companies to broaden both its geographical reach and service offerings. TCL was named one of the 1,000 Companies to Inspire Europe in 2017 by the London Stock Exchange.
- CDS chairman Simon Cashmore and MD Simon Abley welcome Safety Checked Ltd’s Martin Hurton and Richard Leckenby to the CDS fold. The acquisition means CDS can now offer electrical testing services as well as fire detection and life safety systems, water and energy compliance expertise.
