Hercules follows strong performance with £15m-plus takeover
After a first six months of 2025 which saw Cotswold-headquartered Hercules PLC grow turnover by 18 per cent to £54.6m, the firm has revealed further growth with a major takeover.
A firm followed by The Raikes Journal as part of its Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series has revealed it’s set for more growth after a multi million pound takeover - made possible by another Gloucestershire firm.
Hercules, the Cotswolds-based supplier of skilled and semi-skilled workers for major infrastructure construction projects, has bought Advantage NRG Ltd for a consideration of up to £15.7 million.
The Preston-headquartered firm provides skilled staff to major utility contractors to work on overhead powerlines, refurbishing, upgrading, dismantling and constructing high voltage transmission systems.
It is a deal that is expected to add millions of pounds more to the turnover of its Cirencester-based owner, with the Lancashire businesses turning over £11.1 million for the year ending February 28 2025, with pre-tax profits of £1.7 million.
Paul Wheatcroft, Hercules’ chief financial officer, said: “This acquisition is a transformational step for Hercules. It not only gives us a strong foothold in the power and energy sector but also supports our mission to meet the UK’s growing demand for skilled infrastructure labour.
“Advantage NRG’s reputation and capabilities are a perfect fit for our long-term growth strategy.”
It was a deal made possible by Staverton and Cheltenham-based accountants Hazlewoods’ corporate finance team.
Rich Grover, corporate finance director at Hazlewoods, said: “Advantage NRG is a high-quality business with a strong track record in a rapidly growing sector.
“This deal represents a significant step forward in Hercules’ diversification strategy and positions them well to benefit from the UK’s energy transition.”
According to analysts the deal reflects Hercules’ forward-looking strategy of expanding into sectors with long-term growth potential as the UK increases investment into the energy sector and the resilience of the national grid.
National Grid itself plans to invest £58 million to support a projected 64 per cent increase in electricity demand by 2035, which includes everything from offshore energy grids, reinforcement of thousands of miles of existing network, and building a north-to-south electricity network.
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