PHD makes new appointment as it hits acquisitions trail

PHD Industrial Holdings – the industrial acquisitions business which is part of the Dow Schofield Watts network – has expanded its team with the appointment of Peter Horton as Acquisitions Executive.

His arrival comes as the company is planning a series of new acquisitions after raising an additional £5m via a rights issue in June.

A qualified accountant, Peter spent four years working in audit – initially with Deloitte in Manchester and most recently with Mazars – before joining PHD. He will be based in the firm’s headquarters in Daresbury, Cheshire where his role will include identifying potential acquisitions and supporting the growth of existing portfolio companies.

PHD Industrial Holdings currently has six companies in the group which between them employ over 330 people and have sales of over £60m. It targets profitable SMEs in well-established industry sectors with a turnover of up to £10m.

PHD Industrial Holdings was recently acquired from PHD Equity Partners. Andy Dodd, Director, said: “PHD has delivered excellent returns to date and our new structure, together with the recent £5m rights issue, gives us considerable firepower going forward. Peter will play a key role in our plans to identify new acquisitions and build the group to a capital value in excess of over £100m.”