Maven achieves return of up to 2.5x from sale of DPP

Maven exited its investment in DPP, a specialist mechanical and electrical (M&E) maintenance contractor, through a sale to an undisclosed UK private company. The profitable realisation has generated a return of between 2.1x and 2.5x cost for Maven client funds.

Originally founded as a family run business, DPP has grown into a multi-region M&E services provider with over 180 employees and turnover of £19 million. The business has built a strong market position through its focus on the hospitality and retail sectors, working with clients such as Greene King, Whitbread, Premier Inn, Wagamama and Iceland.

Southampton based DPP provides a comprehensive range of services including planned preventative maintenance, reactive repairs, project-led installation and refurbishment works. Its offering spans key technical areas such as heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical testing, and safety system compliance. Its service model of recurring contract work and responsive maintenance has helped the business to deliver stable revenues while also capitalising on project based opportunities.

DPP’s stringent compliance standards, focus on health and safety, and its highly qualified and accredited engineers based throughout England and Wales, has made it a trusted partner for multi-site operators who are increasingly seeking to consolidate their supplier base across estates.

Maven first backed the business in 2013, and during that investment period DPP has strengthened its operational infrastructure, broadened its customer base, and enhanced its service delivery model to better support the evolving needs of large hospitality and retail clients. 

The focus on broadening its customer base with a recurring maintenance contract model has significantly enhanced the quality of DPP’s earnings, reducing dependence on ad hoc projects and delivering greater stability and scale. With Maven’s backing, the business successfully navigated industry challenges, including Brexit and Covid, and has emerged stronger, more resilient, and well-positioned for sustained growth.

Gary Brookes, Head of Portfolio at Maven