Bradford’s Universal AV embarks on new start following management buyout

Universal AV, a Bradford-based provider of audio visual solutions to the corporate, education, public sectors, has just undergone a management buyout.

Nick Fitzpatrick (managing director Universal AV), Jon Eden (director Universal Live), Andy Robinson |(financial director) and Kirsty Waine (managing director Universal Live), spearheaded the management buyout of the business.

Finalised on January 13th 2016, the acquisition of Universal AV and Universal Live was completed by a new holding company, Universal Group Holdings, which is controlled by the existing management team.

The acquisition includes the company’s headquarters in Bradford as well as the offices in Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle, Rossendale and Rugby, all staff, assets and order book.

The transaction has provided the group with a structure to facilitate the change of ownership and will help to support the management team’s future integrated growth strategy and plans. This ensures that the two company’s work much closer together, providing clients with a full solution from interactive meeting room installations through to the event management of AGM’s and Product launches for clients in the FTSE100.

Nick Fitzpatrick, managing director for Universal AV, commented: “We have some ambitious growth plans in place for the companies. In the industry we are renowned for our integration and installation services, however we truly see ourselves as a double threat! We have one of the largest fleet of Panasonic projectors throughout the UK, for use in Live events. Combined Universal is a true force to reckon with.”

Kirsty Waine, managing director, Universal Live added: “We see the management buyout as an exciting opportunity to collaborate and explore our joint customer base. Universal as a group has a strong team and service offering which we aim to develop.”

Nick concluded: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the previous owner and founder of Universal. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our employees, clients, distributors, partners, subcontractors and suppliers for their loyalty over the past 25 years, and long may this continue.”

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