Shaw & Co, the specialist corporate finance advisory firm, has advised on the successful sale of Torchlight Group Limited (Torchlight) to Axiom International Limited (Axiom), a portfolio company of Limerston Capital.

Based in Swindon, Torchlight supports governments, international institutions and organisations in building capacity and developing capability to address the underlying drivers of serious and organised crime, irregular and illegal migration, counter-extremism, and counter-terrorism.

The acquisition of Torchlight is the next step of an ambitious growth strategy aimed at creating a leading international security and criminal justice capacity building organisation.

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The acquisition of Torchlight is an important milestone for Limerston Capital’s investment in the international security and criminal justice capacity building space. "

Martim Avillez and Joao Rosa Limerston at Capital Founding Partners

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Combining Axiom’s outstanding strategic capacity building programme delivery with Torchlight’s leading defence, strategic communications and cyber capabilities will further enhance the reach and service provision of the group. We are delighted to have supported Chris and the Axiom management team in this transaction.”

Chris Gregg, Co-Founder and Chief Executive of Axiom, says: “We are delighted and look forward to working with Ed Dickson and the outstanding Torchlight team going forward. Ed has built a formidable capability in delivering outstanding programmes across the world. The combination of Axiom and Torchlight will take our client focused approach to a whole new level, and we’re extremely excited about the future. The businesses are in a fantastic position to deliver further growth in the coming years working with the experienced team at Limerston Capital.”

Ed Dickson, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Torchlight Group, says: “We are very excited by the opportunity to join forces with Axiom International, bringing together world class expertise in security and development, and Limerston Capital, who are dedicated to realising organisational potential and leading ambitious growth strategies. We are immensely proud of all that we have achieved at Torchlight since our inception in 2011 and look forward to this new chapter with such credible and ambitious partners, who share our desire to bring enduring security and stability where it is needed most in the world. I’d also like to add my personal thanks to Shaw & Co for making the deal happen.”

Leading the deal for Torchlight, Jim Shaw, Founder and CEO at Shaw & Co comments: “We have worked alongside the team at Torchlight for over six years. During that time, we have provided guidance on the development of the business targeted at maximising value at exit."

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We are delighted to bring that work to fruition in this transaction with Axiom. The deal rewards the hard work of the shareholders and creates a formidable group in the sector. ”

Jim Shaw
Founder & CEO at Shaw & CO