Harrogate’s JSC International acquired by global sustainability consultancy ERM

ERM, the global sustainability consultancy, has completed the acquisition of Harrogate-based JSC International Limited (JSC).

The deal was facilitated by Yorkshire law firm Gordons, audit, tax and consulting firm RSM, and Mills & Reeve.

Gordons acted as legal advisors to ERM, and was led by partner Jonathan Asquez and solicitors Amy Pierechod and Stephanie Houghton. RSM’s Leeds office provided corporate finance advice to the sellers, with a team consisting of Steve Hubbard, Amy Lewis and Umito Choji.

Mills & Reeve’s Paul Johnson, partner, and Martyn Heyes, associate, acting as legal advisors to the sellers.

JSC is a regulatory affairs consultancy based in Harrogate and provides independent regulatory and risk assessment advice in the area of agrochemicals, biocides and general chemical legislation.

Established in 1992 and employing 30 staff, JSC provides regulatory advisory services to the chemical industry to help them to navigate the complexities of the EU regulatory environment.

The company provides the full range of consulting services including data gap analysis, study monitoring, preparation and submission of dossiers and post-submission support.

ERM is a provider of environmental, safety, community and broad sustainability services to the chemical sector.

This includes helping clients obtain registration for their products and managing compliance with existing and developing legislation internationally in this area. In March 2015, ERM acquired ReachCentrum, a significant provider of services in chemical registration under REACH, the European Union’s regulation on chemicals and their safe use.

By acquiring JSC, ERM will grow in the chemical sector by adding deeper technical expertise in agrochemicals and biocides to the registration and authorisation process management services that it currently provides to clients in the sector.

David McArthur, director of acquisitions and corporate development for ERM, said: “Bringing JSC on board is another significant step in our long-term growth strategy in the chemical sector and builds on our recent acquisition of ReachCentrum.

“We have been impressed by the long-term relationships JSC has developed with many of its clients, some of whom we share, the quality of its client service and, of course, its people. There is a great fit between our companies and we look forward to combining our joint technical expertise and thought leadership to better serve our clients.”

Lucy Croucher, JSC’s managing director, added: “It was clear to us the very first time we met ERM that they share our business and ethical values.

“The acquisition will allow JSC to continue to grow and thrive while at the same time providing ERM with opportunities to develop further in the chemical sector. We can see many opportunities for our two companies to benefit from this acquisition, both in terms of new markets and technical offerings for our clients.

“We are delighted that we have been able to find such a good home for JSC; this will ensure ongoing career development opportunities for our staff, broadening of the services we offer our clients and hence will ensure the team’s success for many years to come.”

Gordons has offices in Leeds and Bradford, employs 235 people and has a turnover of £22.5m.

RSM is the UK’s seventh largest firm of audit, tax and consulting services with revenues of almost £300m a year. The firm has 3,400 partners and staff operating from 35 locations throughout the UK.

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