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APEM

APEM

September 2025
UK & Ireland, £100m - £500m

Liberty advises the management team of APEM Group on their acquisition by Applus+ Group

Liberty Corporate Finance is delighted to announce they have advised the management team of APEM Group on their acquisition by Applus+ Group, a leading player in the testing, inspection and certification (TIC) sector. Applus+ Group’s investment in APEM will replace existing majority shareholders WestBridge.

We are incredibly grateful to the Liberty team for their expertise and commitment throughout this process. Their skilful negotiation, patience and perseverance have delivered an outstanding outcome and we deeply value the collaborative approach they brought to every stage of the transaction.

Leah McGimpsey
CEO of APEM

APEM is a global leader in environmental consultancy, recognised for delivering innovative ecological, technological and data-driven solutions that support decision makers in addressing some of the world’s most complex environmental challenges. With a strong focus on evidence-based science, cutting-edge technology and sustainability, APEM partners with clients across sectors to deliver projects that generate measurable environmental and social value.

The company has built an impressive track record of growth in recent years, driven by both strong organic expansion and a carefully executed buy-and-build strategy. APEM has completed nine acquisitions across international markets, the most recent of which was the acquisition of AARC Environmental Solutions, a well-established Australian consultancy, further consolidating APEM’s footprint and capabilities in the Asia-Pacific region.

Applus+ Group, headquartered in Spain, is a global leader in testing, inspection and certification services, with operations spanning more than 70 countries. The Group is dedicated to helping clients improve the quality and safety of their operations, enhance sustainability performance and reduce environmental impact. Applus+ works across a wide range of industries—including energy, infrastructure, automotive and aerospace—bringing technical expertise and rigorous standards to its client partnerships.

This acquisition marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Applus+ and APEM. Together, the two organisations combine complementary expertise creating a stronger platform to serve clients worldwide. This collaboration reinforces both companies’ commitment to supporting the transition to a more sustainable global economy, empowering clients to make informed decisions that balance growth, resilience and environmental stewardship.

The investment has been made in partnership with APEM’s management team, led by Leah McGimpsey. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close before year end.

Liberty advised Chief Executive Officer Leah McGimpsey and the management team on the terms of the transaction.

We are really pleased to have supported the APEM management team on this transaction which marks an important milestone in APEM’s growth journey. Combining APEM’s reputation for environmental expertise and innovation with the global scale and capabilities of Applus+ forms an exciting partnership, uniquely positioned to provide even greater value to clients and communities worldwide.

Dan Martinez
Partner
+44 (0) 7398 212 298
[email protected]