Opportunity
When Graham Price, founder of Impact Control Systems, started to plan for the future of his business, he wanted to do so on his own terms. Having built the company from the ground up since 1991, he was proud of its growth and equally determined that its culture and independence would remain central to the business.
In a sector where many successful Business Energy Management (BEMS) firms have been acquired by larger groups, Graham knew he wanted a different path. His goal was to keep the business independently owned and true to the values that had driven its success.
Based in Liverpool, Impact Control Systems has grown into one of the UK’s leading BEMS specialists providing design, supply and installation services from offices in Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester, and London. With around 50 employees and an annual turnover of between £8-10 million, the business has built a strong reputation for quality, service, and trust.
Having received advice elsewhere that left him uncertain about the tax implications, Graham turned to DSG for clear, trusted guidance on how to structure the sale in a way that was fair, efficient, and most importantly, future-proof.
Strategy
By combining our deep regional roots with technical expertise, insight gained from supporting businesses on similar journeys, and learnings from completing our own management buyout, we were able to provide greater certainty to Impact Control Systems. As a proudly independent firm, we understand firsthand the value of autonomy, making it especially important to us to support clients who are determined to remain independent.
We worked closely with Graham to understand his goals and the ambitions of his management team. From there, we implemented structures that would allow him to pass ownership to this internal team through a buy-in management buyout.
Our role spanned tax advisory, HMRC clearance and the due diligence process, providing detailed guidance on Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) and Capital Gains Tax (CGT) to optimise the transaction. We provided open, practical communication throughout, guiding Graham through each stage with confidence and clarity.
“DSG put my mind at ease straight away,” said Graham Price, Founder of Impact Control Systems. “They explained every stage of the process and gave me confidence that we were doing things the right way. The team handled everything professionally and got a great result for the business.”
Result
The transaction completed successfully in early 2025, transferring ownership to a six-person management team, each of whom has been with the business for over a decade. Graham has stepped back from ownership but remains with Impact Control Systems as part of the sales team. The result is a business that remains proudly independent, led by people who understand its culture and customers.
This partnership exemplified the power of our advisory-first approach, helping ambitious owner-managers make the right decisions at pivotal moments. We continue to support both Graham and the team as a trusted, relationship-first partner, available for ongoing and ad hoc advice as they build for the future.
