We are pleased to announce the formation of Cura Terrae, a new environmental service group made up of three market-leading businesses: Ecus, Environmental Monitoring Solutions (EMS), and Envirocare.
Headquartered in Sheffield, Cura Terrae, which means ‘take care of the Earth’ in Latin, is a purpose-driven business led by experienced entrepreneur Professor Pete Skipworth who will look for suitable complementary acquisitions as part of a strategic growth plan. Leading Cura Terrae alongside Pete will be Chief Financial Officer Sara Blannin. In a fragmented marketplace for environmental services, CEO Prof Peter Skipworth sees a significant opportunity to build a leading nationwide consultancy and make a real difference in protecting the planet.
We live in an age of climate crisis, so it has never been more important to help our clients understand and comply with environmental regulations, manage their carbon output, improve air quality, minimise urban flooding, or protect the delicate balance between development and the environment. These imperatives are vital to the functioning of society and perhaps even the continuation of the human race. Cura Terrae’s mission is to offer services and solutions to help take care of the Earth, and help our clients work towards a more sustainable future. I believe the formation of this group brings together the skills, expertise and passion needed to achieve our shared goals.
Ecus provides holistic environmental consultancy services to support the development of UK infrastructure. Services include air quality, arboriculture, carbon services, ecology, environmental services, habitats, heritage & archaeology, landscape architecture, and water services. Ecus brings 154 members of staff to the wider group, including their recent acquisition, Northern Archaeological Associates.
EMS provides environmental consultancy services and monitoring solutions to help clients meet and maintain environmental compliance, improve efficiency and manage environmental impact. Since being invested in by a regional VC in 2010, it has grown its staff count from seven to 50.
Envirocare offers stack emissions testing and occupational hygiene consultancy. With 35 members of staff, it is a leading UKAS and MCERTS accredited consultancy operating throughout the UK, Ireland and Europe.
Collectively, the businesses employ almost 240 people, but this number is set to increase to 300 this year amid strong organic growth. The combined revenues of the group will be around £18m.
This significant development is a result of investment by Palatine Private Equity’s Impact Fund, whose long-term commitment to place purpose and responsibility at the heart of their investment strategy aligns perfectly with Cura Terrae’s shared mission to protect the environment.
Piers Clark, the respected water sector professional, will become non-executive Chair of Cura Terrae. Piers will remain as executive chair of Isle Utilities, the specialist water consultancy. Palatine Impact Partner James Gregson, who led the investment with Investment Manager Greg Holmes, will also be joining the board, along with Finance Director Sara Blannin.
Ecus, EMS and Envirocare and their shareholders were advised by Claire Davis and team at Lava Advisory Partners (Corporate Finance), Andy Francey and Megan Atack at Freeths (Legal) and Craig Hughes at Brown Butler (Tax). Palatine was advised by: David Mkhitarian, James Down and Graeme Anderson at Hill Dickinson (Legal), Nicola Merritt and James Milton at Cortus Advisory (FDD), Peter Cookson at Armstrong (CDD) and Colin Smyth, Martin Cooper and Jake Hodgson at RSM (Tax).
