Saffery advises DisasterCare Group on sale to Aviva
Saffery, one of the UK’s leading accountancy and advisory firms, is pleased to announce it has advised Chris Netherton and the DisasterCare Group on the successful sale of the business to Aviva, one of the UK’s leading insurers.
About DisasterCare Group
DisasterCare is a specialist provider that connects insurers and customers with trusted local disaster recovery and restoration experts, delivering critical services including drying, cleaning, strip out and reinstatement following events such as fire and flooding. The Group also owns The Flood School, the UK’s leading training provider for flood and water damage restoration.
About the Transaction
The transaction sees Disaster Care Limited and The Flood School Limited (via CJN Holdings Limited) join the Aviva Group as wholly owned subsidiaries. It marks a new phase in a longstanding partnership between the organisations and positions the business for further growth as part of Aviva.
As long‑standing advisers to the DisasterCare Group, Saffery provided comprehensive sell‑side advisory services across the sales process. The Saffery team was led by Hemal Pandit (Transaction Services Director), Tony Dillow (Corporate Tax Director) and Sue Wasson (Personal Tax Director), working closely with Partner Jamie Lane, who leads the Group’s wider relationship with Saffery and delivers ongoing compliance services.
Saffery also worked alongside the Group’s CFO, Kelly Futcher, and legal advisers Moore Barlow. The strength of the business itself, together with robust management information, financial controls and processes, and a collaborative approach across all parties, helped ensure a smooth and timely transaction — completing within two months from letter of intent to completion.
Reactions
“It is a pleasure to see Chris and his team’s outstanding efforts in building a high‑quality business culminate in its successful sale to Aviva. We have enjoyed working closely with Chris, Kelly and the wider management team to help prepare the business for this transaction and to support it through to completion. We look forward to seeing DisasterCare continue to thrive as it enters its next phase of growth in partnership with Aviva.”
Hemal Pandit, Transaction Services Director, Saffery
“For operational reasons, a quick transaction was required, which meant all our advisors had to work to extremely challenging deadlines, completing the deal within two months from letter of intent to completion. Not only did Saffery deliver to a high standard, they also had the vision to advise on a financial structure which would benefit both parties, ensuring all concerned were satisfied with the outcome. I highly recommend Saffery, not only for their technical knowledge which is unquestionable, but the strategic vision and experience to aid completion.”
Chris Netherton, CEO, DisasterCare Group