Sell Your TICC Business: Scale with Phenna Group
“The biggest attraction was the Phenna model. They support business leaders staying on, who wanted innovation and growth - provided capex for this, and crucially, allowed me and my team to continue leading the business as we saw fit.” - Brian Shannon, Founder of BET
Why Partner with Us?
“We've retained our identity, accelerated our growth, and further strengthened our culture”. - Managing Director of Code A Weld, Adam Gould
Sell Your TICC Business: Scale with Phenna Group
“Phenna offered the chance to retain equity, maintain operational management, and scale with serious backing. It felt like the right fit.” - Chris Simmons, Founder of Simtec
Why Partner with Us?
“Since becoming part of Phenna Group, NAPIT has flourished, growing its workforce to 150 people and achieving an impressive 30% growth since the acquisition.” - Mike Andrews, Founder of NAPIT
Sell Your TICC Business: Scale with Phenna Group
"Phenna Group's supportive approach to integration, combined with financial and operational backing, perfectly matched Hansen Aerospace's goals.”- Eric D'Orio, CEO of Hansen Aerospace
Why Partner with Us?
“One of the most exciting developments has been the opportunity to collaborate with other companies within the Phenna Group.” - Bala Krishnan, Managing Director of A-Star Testing & Inspection
Why Partner with Phenna Group?
Our approach to mergers and acquisitions is unique. We deliver the long-term security agreed at the outset, with zero dilution on your rolled equity, while also offering the flexibility, lower interference, and incentivisation tailored to the entrepreneurs’ individual circumstances and aspirations. It's a balance that gives business owners confidence while keeping their entrepreneurial spirit alive.
Since 2019, more than 90 TICC founders and entrepreneurs have chosen to partner with Phenna Group. Many of them remain with us far longer than originally anticipated, which speaks to the strength and success of our model.
When planning the ultimate exit strategy for a Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) industry business, owners face a critical choice between traditional private equity and strategic corporate buyers. While both paths offer well-known approaches, they often miss the mark for driven entrepreneurs. You don’t just want an exit; you want legacy protection that secures your brand’s future while unlocking maximum business value. At Phenna Group, we provide exactly that.
TICC Business Sold, Legacy Secured
Phenna Group provides the long-term stability and global infrastructure – spanning the US, Latin America, EU, Middle East, Asia and Australia as well as the UK – to elevate your brand through our robust operational support, extensive marketing reach, and complementary network of businesses. This powerhouse ecosystem bolsters your market position, allowing you to protect what you’ve built, share in the benefits of future growth, and continue driving entrepreneurial success on a much grander scale.
What Makes Phenna the Best Company to Sell Your TICC Business to?
90+ TICC founders worldwide have chosen our model because we offer the ultimate balance: long-term security with zero dilution on your rolled equity. You keep your entrepreneurial spirit; we provide the global platform to scale it.
Empowered Leadership
You continue driving your business forward, supported by the scale, expertise, resources, and collaboration of Phenna Group.
Flexible Deal Structures
We tailor our agreements to balance security and reward for your business, including keeping your branding and marketing flexible.
Operational and Strategic Support
From investment and service development to succession planning and strategic hires, we provide hands-on expertise when needed.
Capital
We fully fund 100% of capital investments (including CAPEX and bolt-on acquisitions) with zero cost or dilution to you.
Functional Expertise
Access Group support services at no extra cost, including finance, HR, tax, IT, legal and marketing, to help you grow more efficiently.
Growth Alliances
Gain opportunities to collaborate with other Phenna Group businesses so you can tap into new markets and accelerate growth.
Standardised Finance and Reporting
We simplify finance and reporting to ensure consistency across the Group and meet our own legal and reporting requirements.
True Partnership
We invest in you so we can succeed together, combining your expertise with our global platform. No corporate politics – just clarity and collaboration.
How it Works – The Phenna “Sell My Business” Timeline
When you sell your business to us, we prioritise maintaining business continuity and minimal disruption. Through our pragmatic, "ordinary course of business" approach, many teams will feel like nothing has changed. You continue leading your business with independence, while seamlessly leveraging the benefits of being part of Phenna Group.
When you join Phenna Group, you become part of a global network of testing, inspection, certification, and compliance businesses that share a common entrepreneurial mindset. Across our Group, founders continue to lead their businesses, collaborate with one another, share best practices, and support each other's growth journeys.
- Phenna updates Directors and Officers (D&O) liability coverage to include your business.
- Review of operating licenses to ensure alignment.
- Implementation of financial compliance policies (AML, Anti-Bribery, Sanctions).
- Review of existing bank mandates and introduction of secure dual-authorisations.
- Evaluation of incumbent CFO / FD and finance function.
- Evaluation of conducted material contracts and where Phenna contracts should be used.
- Implementation of Phenna’s financial reporting standards and IFRS.
- Implementation of Phenna’s Chart of Accounts for Financial Reporting.
- Implementation of key IT policies (acceptable use, password, end-user devices, etc.).
- Report standardisation for H&S, headcount, leavers, and compensation.
- Management fees established in line with the transfer pricing model.
- Migration of the acquired company into the Group insurance policy.
- Reinstatement of the last 5 years' finances and KPIs to Phenna’s reporting standard.
- Review of accreditations (including addressing potential non-conformities).
- Implementation of cyber controls to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification.
- Transitioning local accounts to Phenna’s preferred regional bank(s).
- Updating bank mandates to Phenna’s authorisation standards.
- Setting up cash pooling (where applicable).
- Connecting local financial system(s) into Phenna’s BI platform.
- Formal rollout of the updated employee handbook.
- Implementation of ESG annual reporting.
- Transitioning to Phenna’s designated Group Auditors.
- Aligning your fiscal year-end to 31st December.
Once integrated, you are an official Phenna Group company! You’ll operate within one of our seven specialised divisions, each led by an experienced divisional leader and supported by our central functional experts.
Succession Planning When You Sell Your Business
Succession planning is a crucial consideration for founders choosing a long-term partner. At Phenna Group, we recognise there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Some leaders remain actively involved for years, while others plan a structured transition over a defined period. Our role is not to dictate your plans but to support them.
We work alongside management teams to validate succession strategies, back internal talent, and ensure leadership transitions are calm, structured, and well-communicated. By preserving continuity, we protect the culture, knowledge, and relationships that underpin your success. With the right preparation and the right partner, leadership succession is a strength, not a risk.
Success Stories
Our track record speaks for itself. Dozens of entrepreneurs have trusted Phenna with their businesses, which continue to flourish within our Group. Below, you can hear directly from founders who partnered with us and see how their businesses have scaled since joining.
Hear Directly from Our CEO
If you’re considering your business's future and want to understand how Phenna Group manages acquisitions, founder partnerships, and long-term growth, watch CEO Phil Marshall in conversation with Strativ Group. The discussion provides valuable insight into what it means to sell your business to us and why more than 90 founders have chosen to partner since 2019.
Phil shares the core principles that shape our growth, including how we identify the right partners, support founders throughout the transition, and empower companies to thrive while retaining their identity, culture, and entrepreneurial spirit. The conversation also covers our approach to integration, leadership succession, and the opportunities available once you join the Group.
Interested in selling your TICC business to Phenna?
At Phenna Group, we’re committed to supporting and investing in you and your business. Contact us today for a confidential TICC business valuation. We look forward to working together and ensuring a smooth, productive transition.
Contact us to enquire about selling your business
Contact Your Local Phenna Group M&A Team
Jon Harrison
Group Head of Corporate Development
Jon Harrison
Group Head of Corporate Development
TEST
Lucie Fowler
Corporate Development Associate - M&A
Lucie Fowler
Corporate Development Associate - M&A
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Phenna Group?
Formed in 2019, Phenna Group is a market-leading Testing, Inspection, Certification and Compliance (TICC) industry business. Operating across seven Divisions, we provide complete, end-to-end services across key industry verticals.
We have built a proven track record of global growth, completing over 90 acquisitions. Today, our strategy remains consistent: we specialise in entrepreneur-led businesses, working closely with founders to accelerate growth while protecting their legacy.
How are Testing, Inspection, and Certification Industry (TIC) companies valued?
TICC industry businesses are typically valued on a multiple of their sustainable EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation). We look closely at the quality of your earnings, specialised accreditations, defensive market positions, and growth potential to build a fair, flexible, and highly competitive valuation tailored to your business.
Can I stay on after selling my business?
Yes. In fact, our acquisition model is built to support it. Many TICC industry business founders choose to remain actively involved, continuing to lead their teams and drive growth while leveraging Phenna’s global resources and shared services. If you prefer to step away, we will work closely with you to engineer a smooth, structured succession plan.
What is the timeframe for selling my TICC business to Phenna Group?
When selling your business to Phenna Group, the typical legal and transaction process will take between 8 and 12 weeks from an agreed initial proposal to final completion. Following a successful close, we move into a collaborative preparation phase to ensure a seamless, organised handoff.
From there, we follow a clear, milestone-driven roadmap over 12 months. This structured plan systematically guides you through governance and banking updates in the first few months, leading to full operational alignment by the end of year one, giving your team absolute clarity at every step.