Weightmans' Corporate team has advised the management team of Cawood Scientific, the UK’s largest provider of independent agri-testing data and services for the land-based industries, on its secondary buy-out with Inflexion Private Equity.

Founded over 25 years ago and headquartered in Berkshire, Cawood offers a multi-disciplinary analytical testing service into the arable, livestock and environmental sectors. Cawood’s growth is underpinned by strong market tailwinds as food quality assurance and agricultural efficiency are increasingly part of the political agenda. Cawood positions itself at the forefront of developments in the agricultural sector as the role of testing and data analytics play a key role in quality control and the sustainability of food production.

In December 2010 Weightmans advised Managing Director, Nigel Patrick and Operations Director, Linda Radnor, when Cawood undertook a management buy-out, supported by NVM Private Equity. Since then, Lord Curry of Kirkharle joined as Chairman and the Company has continued to develop its laboratory capabilities and established its veterinary diagnostics business.

Inflexion is one of the UK’s leading independent mid-market private equity houses and comes in to work in partnership with Cawood Scientific to support its next phase of growth.

Nigel Patrick and Linda Radnor said, “We are delighted that the Cawood business is partnering with Inflexion to help us achieve the next stage of growth for the Company. With a Chairman of the calibre of Lord Curry of Kirkharle and the backing of Inflexion we firmly believe the Company is extremely well placed to serve and grow within the agri-foods market in which we operate.”

Weightmans’ corporate team was led by Gary Jones and included Ben Davies and Haydn Rogan.

Linda Radnor said, “Gary, Ben and Haydn were diligent and professional all the way through the transaction, and the management team knew we were in safe hands.”