Four Seasons Group (FSG), the leading heating ventilation and air conditioning services group, has acquired Berkeley Controls Group (“BCG”)Ltd for an undisclosed sum. BCG is a successful controls company with the ability to offer energy reduction solutions to clients operating in the UK, Europe and Middle East from offices in High Wycombe and Leicestershire. The acquisition of BCG adds a significant new skill set to the Group supporting Four Seasons ability to offer clients the ability to reduce energy bills and comply with increasing amounts of carbon reduction legislation. BCG will add a further £4 million of revenue resulting in combined pro-forma revenue for the Group in excess of £30 million.

In addition to the broad commercial market, BCG also serves the Pharmaceutical market and through its exclusive distribution agreements with Phoenix and Strobic has the ability to provide world leading clean room environments to research establishments in Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

The combined business boasts an impressive client list including H&M, William Hill, WH Smith, Ladbrokes, Astra Zeneca, Waterstones, Carillion, University of Bristol, University of Cambridge, BBC Wales, HMCS, Admiral Insurance, Virgin mobile, MOD, Boots and Carphone Warehouse. The acquisition accelerates the planned strategy of offering a wider range of energy reduction building service solutions across a wider range of market sectors.

The enlarged Group, which employs over 200 staff will move BCG’s High Wycombe operation into its headquarters in High Wycombe, whilst using BCG’s Leicestershire office to expand into the Midlands installation and maintenance markets..

Stuart Lawrie, Chief Executive Officer said, “I am pleased to welcome Berkeley Controls to the Four Seasons Group. The acquisition allows the Group to expand our range of services beyond installation and maintenance and into the energy management field. Having building controls and automation expertise enables us to offer clients the ability to remotely change plant run times, temperature settings and link these into reducing energy consumption across their estates. With the ever increasing amount of legislation in this area, we are now ideally placed to support Property Directors and FM’s satisfy Board requirements to reduce costs and comply with the law.”

Ray Wall, Group Managing Director of Berkeley Controls Group commented “ We see this acquisition as a great opportunity for the business therefore enabling us to reach our full potential in delivering intelligent systems and solutions to the rapidly expanding low carbon economy that is expected to be worth in the region of £2.0 billion pounds according to industry sources. We operate across a number of key vertical markets in the UK, Europe and Middle East and can see the benefits to both organisations in leveraging numerous ‘cross selling opportunities as we move forward into 2010 and beyond

Barclays Ventures made an initial investment in May 2007 and have supported FSG with a further equity injection to fund the acquisition.

Dion Hirst, Investment Director at Barclays Ventures said: ”BCG is a great acquisition for FSG and expands the Group’s capability into building controls while allowing the Group to enter the energy management market which is forecast to see high growth over the next five years. BCG is the fourth acquisition in less than 3 years and further demonstrates the buy and build strategy and ambition of management and the commitment from Barclays Ventures from a funding point of view.”