Napthens has advised Hafod Renewable Energy on its sale to Warrington-based fuel and lubricants distributor Certas Energy.
Hafod, which was founded in 2010 by managing director David Jones and his late father Richard, supplies sustainable energy solutions such as air source heat pumps, solar panels, EV chargers and underfloor heating to domestic, commercial and agricultural customers across North Wales, Cheshire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester.
A team from Napthens led by Kieran Donovan, Victoria Bromiley, Evie Hubble (corporate), Suzanne Mainwaring (employment) and Stephanie Gray (commercial property) provided legal advice to the shareholders of Hafod. Hafod is the second major investment made by Certas Energy in the last six months to grow its renewable solutions offering.
Certas Energy, which is owned by Dublin-based DCC Group, is the largest distributor of fuel, lubricants and related services in the UK with a national network of over 130 depots, more than 900 tankers, over 80 retail forecourts and HGV refuelling sites and fuel cards usable at over 3,000 sites.
It also provides a diversified and growing range of sustainable energy solutions and services to help customers optimise their operations and support them on their energy transition journeys to reduce emissions and achieve net zero carbon status.
Other advisers acting on behalf of Hafod were Tim Scott, managing director and Ryan Niblock, corporate finance director at Warrington-based Cleveland Scott corporate finance advisers.
Kieran Donovan, corporate partner and head of Liverpool at Napthens, said: “Hafod Renewable Energy is a fantastic business that is actively tackling sustainability, providing people and organisations with methods to reduce their carbon footprint.
“It’s a pleasure to have supported David Jones and the team at Cleveland Scott on the sales to Certas, a company that has a similar mission in driving the journey to net zero, making this an ideal transaction for all parties.
“We regularly handle transactions such as this and helping shareholders in private companies successfully navigate the sale process is what we do best.
“We were able to roll out a multi-disciplinary team of experienced transactional lawyers including our colleagues Suzanne and Stephanie, from our employment and commercial property departments, to help complete the sale on the right commercial and legal terms and minimise the disruption to our client’s business during the sale process.”
Ryan Niblock, corporate finance director at Cleveland Scott, said: “It was a pleasure advising David on the sale of Hafod Renewable Energy to Certas Energy. [He] has built a fantastic business which has developed an unrivalled reputation in North Wales and north west England. We wish both parties every success in the future.
“There is a great deal of interest in the sector, which still has significant scope for growth as the UK transitions to renewable energy.”
