Soho Square Capital invests in Alpine Fire Engineers

The investment fund Soho Square Capital (ex Core Capital Partners) signed a stake acquisition in Alpine Fire Engineers in 2018, taking control of the Manchester‑based fire‑safety services specialist. The transaction was executed on a private, off‑market basis as part of a succession plan that transferred ownership from the founding Smith family to the newly appointed management team led by CEO Steven Nanda. Soho Square provided growth‑capital financing that enabled the management team to pursue a bolt‑on acquisition, accelerate recruitment, and invest in enterprise‑resource tools such as a CRM and CAFM system. The capital injection was structured to preserve majority ownership for the incumbent management and the exiting director, thereby aligning incentives and supporting an orderly hand‑over. The investment coincided with a regulatory climate characterised by stricter fire‑safety and insurance requirements, which expanded the addressable market for contracted service and maintenance contracts. By backing Alpine Fire’s expansion plan, Soho Square aimed to reinforce the company’s technical differentiation (LPCB Level 4 accreditation) and to capture the underserved segment of the industrial services market. The partnership also sought to enhance earnings quality through the scaling of the service division and the integration of additional revenue streams from new service sites. Within four years, the combined efforts of the management team and the investor yielded a multiple‑fold increase in both revenue and EBITDA, underscoring the effectiveness of the growth‑capital model. The deal exemplifies a strategic allocation of institutional capital to a niche, high‑margin provider, positioning Alpine Fire for continued consolidation in the UK fire‑safety sector.