Citation Professional Solutions have announced the acquisition of QMS International, a UK leading accredited ISO certification organisation.
The acquisition of QMS also allows Citation, one of the UK’s leading Health & Safety, Employment Law and HR Service providers, to enhance its range of services, adding accredited ISO certification to its offering.
Citation will retain the established QMS brand, and QMS’s 60 employees will remain with the business at the QMS head office in Norwich, while the company’s regional colleagues will also remain in their current roles.
This is the second strategic acquisition for Citation, following the acquisition of Bibby Consulting & Support in 2013 supported by ECI Partners (‘ECI’), the mid-market growth investor who invested in Citation in 2012.
The acquisition of QMS International is a significant step in Citation’s strategic growth plan to strengthen its position as a leading provider of Health & Safety, Employment Law and HR services to SMEs.
Chris Morris, CEO at Citation, comments: “QMS International has an excellent reputation as an accredited ISO organisation. The company is established and well-known nationally, making it a good fit with Citation.
“As a business we are always looking to acquire successful companies that complement the services offered by Citation. We actively seek out solid investments and welcome the opportunity to diversify into new sectors, as this enables us to expand our product offering adding real value to our clients. This acquisition is a primary example of a great partnership between two like-minded, ambitious businesses and I am confident it will bring future growth to both companies.”
Jonathan Chapman, CEO at QMS International, says: “Citation’s acquisition of QMS International is great news. Over the course of 21 years we have continually developed the business to being a market leader. The acquisition was the next natural step for QMS and the deal will allow us to move to the next level; an enhancement to current clients and those we may gain in the future.
“For Citation, the connection with an accredited ISO body will hopefully open new doors for business too, as it offers them a bigger platform of resources to utilise.”
Richard Chapman, Head of Business Services at ECI and board director at Citation, commented: “We are delighted to be backing the team at Citation to make another acquisition. This highlights our commitment to supporting the teams we back to make strategic investments which has been continuously demonstrated over the last few years during which our portfolio companies have made 14 acquisitions.”