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Baronsmead VCTs see 3.7 times return from RLA sale

By Nick Britton on January 03 2008

Private equity firm ISIS Equity Partners says it nearly quadrupled the investment made through its Baronsmead VCTs in marketing agency RLA, which was sold last month. AIM-listed The Mission Marketing Group paid an initial consideration of £9.5 million for the company, with a further £11.5 million payable depending on its performance.

ISIS invested £2.35 million in RLA in 2002 as part of a replacement capital deal worth £3.6 million. The firm says the sale generates a multiple of 3.7 for its clients, which would represent an annualised IRR of around 30 per cent.

Simon Dodd, RLA’s chief executive, says that the company’s partnership with ISIS has helped it grow its business in the automotive, retail and media industries.

Gareth Young, part of the portfolio team at ISIS, comments: ‘RLA and ISIS have enjoyed a successful long-term partnership which can be measured beyond financial performance and investor returns. RLA has carved an interesting and meaningful niche activating national brands at the point of sale.’

RLA is a full-service marketing and communications group with 60 staff and offices in Bournemouth, Belfast and Edinburgh. Its clients include Direct Wines, Kingfisher and Volkswagen.

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