June 2, 2026
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Safer Sphere is proud to be setting foundations for its next stage of growth after completing a partial management buyout (MBO) with support from HSBC UK.
Facilitating an ownership succession plan, as founder Mike Forsyth and his wife Angelique sell 25% of their 51% shareholding in the business to the leadership team.
As part of the MBO, the remaining 49% shareholding will be retained within an Employee Benefit Trust (EBT).
Following the completion of the MBO, the business will continue to be led by Mike Forsyth in his role as Chairman, supported by a senior leadership team comprising Lewis Duff (Managing Director), Graham King (Operations Director), Emma Gradwell (People & Performance Director) and Zoe Chiocci (Finance Director).
The transaction was supported by a wider advisory team, including Jeremy Cole, Partner at Cole Associates (Corporate Finance), Tom Larkin, Tax Director at Jackson Stephens (Accountants and Business Advisors), and Akeel Latif, Partner at Myerson Solicitors.
Overseeing more than 80 employees nationwide, the leadership team will spearhead the growth of the business and diversify its services, including the launch of a building safety-occupation solutions offering.
This expanded Building Safety Occupation service supports Accountable Persons (APs) and Principal Accountable Persons (PAPs) in meeting their duties under Part 4 of the Building Safety Act, offering practical, evidence-led support for occupied higher-risk residential buildings.
It builds on Safer Sphere’s established services, enabling the business to support clients across the full building lifecycle, from design and construction through to occupation.
Alongside this, the business is also developing a Fire Engineering Consultancy service, further strengthening its offer across design safety.
“This is an exciting new chapter for the business, but our ethos and values remain the same. We are excited to enter this new era of leadership, which will allow our team to build on previous success with structured employee ownership. The steps we are taking will strengthen our ability to continue to deliver high quality services and bring new innovations to market.”
“It’s fantastic to support Safer Sphere transition through this MBO. It is clear that although there are changes to leadership, the structures and people that the business has in place look set to deliver continued growth into the future.”
Founded in 2012, Safer Sphere delivers construction and building safety solutions nationwide. The business boasts a diverse client base across multiple sectors, from small refurbishments to multi-billion-pound developments.