BGF-backed Environmental Essentials has completed its fourth acquisition, going back to its roots by acquiring another asbestos consultancy.
Environmental Essentials, which is one of the UK’s leading asbestos service providers, has acquired Omega Asbestos Consulting Ltd for an undisclosed sum. The deal strengthens the company’s core proposition, while providing a significant route into untapped markets, including telecoms, utilities and specialist manufacturing.
It follows the acquisitions of Adams Environmental, Quality Environmental Services Ltd and Callidus Health & Safety Limited, which helped to diversify Environmental Essential’s service offering alongside asbestos management, adding health and safety, water and air hygiene to its capabilities.
Durham-based Omega specialises in asbestos management, including surveys, sampling and testing, training, compliance audits and project management for the removal of asbestos. Employing 30 people, the company works across a variety of sectors, such as telecoms and healthcare, working alongside a number of NHS Trusts.
As part of the deal, Omega Managing Director Gary McKendrick will exit the business. His senior management team, including Commercial Director, Steve Hubery, and Operations Director, Craig Johnston, will remain with the company along with other staff members, bringing a wealth of expertise and knowledge to Environmental Essentials.
Commenting on the deal, Richard Powner, Executive Director and co-founder of Environmental Essentials, said:
“After expanding our compliance proposition with a trio of acquisitions, we have gone back to our roots by investing in an excellent asbestos management business that is perfectly aligned with us – both culturally and strategically.
“Omega has a strong presence in the North East, helping to strengthen our footprint in the region, while also bridging the gap between our Stoke-on-Trent headquarters and other key geographic locations, such as Scotland, where we already support a number of customers.”
Alex Sleeth, Executive Chairman at Environmental Essentials, added:
“Omega has an excellent reputation, both in the North East and nationwide, driven by a highly regarded senior management team and built on a clear set of values and culture.
“When you combine the natural synergies that exist between the two businesses with the significant market opportunities and efficiencies that can be gained through the acquisition, then this deal makes perfect sense for everyone involved.”
BGF first invested in Environmental Essentials in 2015 to help the company cement its position across the UK as a ‘one-stop-shop’ for key compliance services, including asbestos management, water hygiene and fire risk management.
BGF investor, Jon Earl, commented:
“Environmental Essentials has started 2025 with the same appetite and intention as the last, successfully executing a buy and build strategy that allows the team to bolster its capabilities to meet the growing needs of customers across the compliance landscape.
“In what is our tenth year as investment partner, we’re delighted to see the same drive and ambition as the first, supporting them as they grow through a truly long-term flexible approach.”
Based in Stoke-on-Trent and operating from six offices throughout the UK, including Stoke-on-Trent, Sheffield, Glasgow, Leeds and London, Environmental Essentials employs over 230 people and provides asbestos management, training and surveying, water and air hygiene to businesses, local authorities and public sector organisations. Clients include the Houses of Parliament, tier one construction companies, NHS Trusts, high street food retailers and pub operators. Richard Powner and James Riley co-founded the business in 2004, with Alex Sleeth joining the business in 2018 as Executive Chairman to head up development strategy and lead on the company’s ‘buy and build’ programme.
Beswicks Legal and Dains Accountants advised Environmental Essentials on the acquisition. Northern Accountants and Swinburn Maddison advised Omega.