‘Landmark’ deal sees Peninsula acquire Croner Group

Peninsula Business Services Group, the HR, employment law and health and safety firm based in Manchester, has snapped up HR consultancy Croner Group Limited.

Following the acquisition of Croner from information services firm Wolters Kluwer, the Leicestershire firm will continue to operate under the Croner brand as a standalone business within the Peninsula group.

Peter Done, Peninsula’s group managing director, said: “This is an exciting acquisition which complements Peninsula’s existing business, in that both organisations focus on different sectors of the marketplace.

“Along with the software and information services offered by Wolters Kluwer, we can now provide a one stop shop for any size organisation.”

Croner’s tax and fee protection business will be added to Peninsula’s existing Taxwise business, which will now operate under a new unified Croner Taxwise brand.

Wolters Kluwer, meanwhile, will continue providing its information solutions in the UK under the Croner and Croner-I product banner.

Peninsula’s group operations director, Alan Price, said: “We have the talent and systems in place to further enhance this long established business.

“Our aim is to take the best of both operating models and propositions to create two enhanced market leading offerings across both brands in the SME and corporate sector.”

Peninsula called the acquisition a ‘landmark step’ in strengthening its position as a UK market leader in tax, business safety and HR advice.

During the transaction, Peninsula was advised by a cross-discipline team from the Manchester office of law firm Gateley that included corporate partner Charles Glaskie and corporate solicitor Leigh Whittaker, as well as commerce, technology and media partner Peter Budd and CTM solicitor Tom Hughes. Real estate partner Gareth Atkinson, meanwhile, led on the acquisition’s property aspects.

Last month, we spoke to Peter Done about Peninsula’s past, present and future. Read the interview here.

Looking to promote your product/service to SME businesses in your region? Find out how Bdaily can help →