Southampton: HWB advises on MBO of GLS Design

Leading Hampshire-based accountancy practice HWB has advised on a successful management buyout of Farnham-based global brand environment and event creators GLS Design.

GLS Design has been a client of HWB since 2004 and was founded in 1989 by Chris Lomas, Gary Smele and Derek Gibson. The firm specialises in creating brand environments including exhibition design, live events and permanent installations across the globe. Managing director Chris Lomas will be handing over the reins to the management team Steve Szczepanski, James Prescott and Nicolas Giannopoulos. 

Alan Williams, director at HWB who advised on the deal, said: “We were delighted to assist our long standing client GLS Design with this management buyout – creating a tax efficient situation for the vendor and supplying the management team with opportunities to drive the business forward. We have worked with GLS for many years and have seen the company develop and grow considerably over that time. I now look forward to supporting the management team in taking the business to the next phase.”

Szczepanski, of GLS, said: “HWB and Alan have been working closely with us for many years so it only seemed right that he would support us through this time of change, he and his team have done a fantastic job of advising us on this deal. We have a driven focused team, determined to make a success of the business moving forwards and we look forward to working with HWB to realise this success.”