Leeds Equity Partners, LLC (www.leedsequity.com), the New York-based private equity fund focused exclusively on investing in the Knowledge Industries, announced today that it has invested in Simplify Compliance Holdings, LLC (“Simplify Compliance” or the “Company”). Simplify Compliance is a newly formed entity exclusively focused on the information and compliance solutions sector. Leeds Equity created this new entity through simultaneous negotiations and a merger of four market-leading companies: BLR (formerly Business and Legal Resources), and three portfolio companies owned by UCG; DecisionHealth, Argosy and CCMI. This strategic combination creates a leading provider of mission critical information, workflow solutions and services to the highly complex end markets of healthcare, human capital management, financial services, and telecommunications. Simplify Compliance will be led by Dan Oswald, the current CEO of BLR, and headquartered in Brentwood, TN.
JEGI CLARITY (www.jegiclarity.com), the leading independent investment bank for the global media, information, marketing, software and tech-enabled services sectors, headquartered in New York, NY, represented BLR and UCG in this transaction.
“We are excited to join the Leeds Equity team. Leeds Equity’s track record of providing support to leading businesses in the Knowledge Industries is unmatched, and we view our partnership with Leeds as a strategic asset of the Company. We chose to work with Leeds Equity because of the depth of their experience and expertise, and we are confident that their resources will enable Simplify Compliance to continue its successful expansion through new growth initiatives,” said Dan Oswald. “Importantly, our customers will benefit from continued investments in our core solutions and our tireless dedication to providing critical training, workflow solutions, data and intelligence.”
“Dan and his team, through this combination, have created a special business,” said Scott VanHoy, Managing Director of Leeds Equity Partners. “The Company operates a differentiated, scalable platform that enables its customers and clients to operate effectively in the complex and fast-changing environments in which they participate. We are excited to help the company continue to grow organically and through acquisitions.”
“We are gratified by the confidence that Dan and his team have placed in us. We view our role as providing not only capital, but also support in every possible sense of the word. An important element of all of our partnerships is shared passion with management for driving innovative products and services that anticipate challenges and opportunities that the global knowledge economy presents,” said Christopher Mairs, Principal of Leeds Equity Partners.
Simplify Compliance represents the first investment for Leeds Equity Partners VI and will be a buy-and-build platform with an exclusive focus on the governance, risk and compliance market. Covington & Burling served as legal counsel to Leeds Equity Partners. BLR and UCG were advised by JEGI, an independent investment bank for the global media, information, marketing, software and tech-enabled services sectors. Finn Dixon and Sherrard, Roe, Voigt, Harbison served as legal counsel to BLR and UCG.
We needed an advisor who understood our business and was capable of handling a complex transaction, which included the merger of four companies. We chose JEGI CLARITY based on its reputation and experience, and it was absolutely the right decision. The performance of the JEGI CLARITY team exceeded our high expectations, and the transaction resulted in a phenomenal outcome. They helped us find the perfect financial partner to achieve the next phase of growth for our company, while providing a great result for our investors.
Dan Oswald, CEO, BLR
We completed a pre-packaged merger of three UCG portfolio companies with two BLR companies, and simultaneously sold the combined business to Leeds Equity. The exceptional team at JEGI CLARITY came up with this creative structure and approach, skillfully helped us navigate the intricacies of a complicated transaction, and delivered the best possible result in record time. We could not be more pleased with the advice JEGI CLARITY gave us throughout the process and the leadership they provided to get the deal executed. I’ve worked with many investment bankers over my 25 year career, and I can say JEGI CLARITY delivered a unique and exceptional outcome for the investors and businesses.
Todd M. Foreman, Partner & CEO, UCG