LONDON, UK: LSL Property Services plc has agreed to acquire the entire issued share capital of TenetLime Limited from Tenet Limited, a subsidiary of Tenet Group Limited, subject to FCA approval.
TenetLime operates a network providing services to 231 mortgage and protection advisers, operating within 133 appointed representative firms. Its advisers arranged c.£3.9bn of mortgages in 2022.
The transaction also includes consideration for the recruitment by TenetLime of 47 mortgage and protection advisers operating within 24 appointed representative firms, that are currently members of TenetConnect Ltd and TenetConnect Services Ltd, that are expected to transfer to TenetLime prior to completion.
The consideration payable is expected to be up to £12.9m consisting of an initial payment of up to £5.6m, a further payment of up to £4.5m; and an expected payment of £2.8m for assets which form part of TenetLime’s regulatory capital.
The acquisition is being financed from LSL’s existing cash resources. At 30 June 2023, the Group had a net cash balance of £36.0m.
After a short period of transition, TenetLime members will be integrated fully in the operations of LSL’s PRIMIS Network. The acquisition allows LSL to leverage its existing network infrastructure to deliver synergies and enhance the Group’s margin.
TenetLime reported profit before tax of £0.9m for the year ended 30 September 2021, at which date it had gross assets of £10.1m. This profit figure excludes the contribution of the 24 appointed representatives firms that are currently members of TenetConnect Ltd and TenetConnect Services Ltd and that are expected to transition to TenetLime before completion. Following integration into LSL’s PRIMIS Network we expect the transaction to be earnings enhancing in 2024.
David Stewart, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: “I’m delighted we have been able to complete this transaction and I look forward to welcoming TenetLime’s advisers to our PRIMIS Network. The increase in membership will help us to further invest in our service offering to member firms as well as delivering scale economics to support further growth. The acquisition also underpins our leading position in the mortgage and protection network market and is fully aligned with our Group strategy to develop our Financial Services Network business.”
LSL Property Services sold its London Estate Agent Marsh & Parsons for £29 million