A Birmingham social care assessment and training firm has undergone a management buyout backed by private equity investment.
Antser Group owns Antser Learning in Edgbaston which offers a behaviour change training tool for children's care staff which uses virtual reality to help learners experience the impact of trauma through the eyes of children and young people.
Sister company Carter Brown, which is based in Mansfield, provides independent psychological, psychiatric and social work assessments for child-related safeguarding.
The management buyout (MBO), backed by Leeds-based YFM Equity Partners, has been led by chief executive Richard Dooner and will enable Antser Group to carry out staff development, launch new services and acquire other companies.
As part of the deal, James Greenbury has been made chairman, bringing with him a wealth of experience in the business services sector along with acquisition expertise.
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Mr Dooner said: "We are very excited about moving into the next phase of Antser's journey. The group was born out of a desire to achieve positive change in the health and social care sectors through a connected and transformative approach.
"In the years since our founding, we have combined best practice with innovation and new and emerging technologies so that we can lead the way in doing things better.
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"Our goal now is to take our talent and technology and apply it to support better outcomes for even more children, families, vulnerable adults and communities."
YFM's investment director Stephen Murray added: "Antser Group is a prime example of the type of business that YFM seeks to back.
"It has an exceptional management team, a clear vision and has carved out strong positions for Carter Brown and Antser Learning - both of which are operating in high growth markets. We look forward to seeing each opportunity come to fruition."
The MBO was funded by Santander whose director of growth capital Simon Clewlow said: "As a growing business with a very clear market position and significant future opportunity, we're delighted to be supporting Antser Group with this management buyout.
"We're also hopeful that we can support with further funding in the future to enable the Group to reach its growth ambitions."
The MBO has enabled a full exit for Antser Group's previous private equity backer BGF. The firm originally invested £8.5 million in Antser Group in 2021 and then partially exited the business last year.
Midlands investor Nick Holder said: "It's been an absolute pleasure to work alongside Richard and the management team as part of their ongoing growth journey, culminating in a successful exit for all stakeholders.
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"This enables the well-established team to continue to move forward in a positive way as they strive towards their ambitious strategic goals. We wish the business every success in the future."
Advisers on the deal were Browne Jacobson, Claritas, Confidas, Cooper Parry, Crowe, Freeths, Graph, Heligan Corporate Finance, Mills & Reeve, Partners&, PwC, Roythornes, Shoosmiths, Springboard Corporate Finance and Torous.