Rob Dukelow-Smith

22 January 2026

Acquisition of Braintree Electro Platers by Maycast-Nokes Precision Engineering Ltd

Maycast-Nokes Precision Engineering Ltd has acquired Braintree Electro Platers, a UK-based metal finishing business. The transaction enhances Maycast-Nokes’ manufacturing offering by adding in-house surface finishing capability and supports its strategy to provide customers with an end-to-end service across casting, machining and finishing. Forward Corporate Finance advised Maycast-Nokes on the transaction, with Barclays UK Corporate Bank providing acquisition funding, HCR Law providing legal advice and TC Group providing tax advice.

2 December 2025

Forward Advises Landguard Engineering on Sale to Northern Industries Group

Forward Corporate Finance is delighted to have advised Peter Wilson and Hannah March on their sale of Landguard Engineering Limited (“Landguard”), a specialist steel fabrication business based in Harwich, to Northern Industries Group , one of the UK’s fastest growing steel engineering groups. The Forward team, led by Rob Dukelow-Smith and Ollie Geddes-Smith, acted as lead advisors to Landguard throughout the process, from the initial meeting and pre-marketing preparation, to finding the right buyer and negotiation stages and on through due diligence to completion.

1 December 2025

Forward advises Charis Shareholders on Sale to Chiltern Capital

Forward Corporate Finance is delighted to have advised the family shareholders of Peterborough-based, Charis Grants (“Charis”) on the sale of the business to Chiltern Capital (“Chiltern”). Charis is a market-leader in the distribution of financial support, products, and services to vulnerable households and community projects on behalf of private sector, public sector, and not-for-profit organisations.

1 November 2025

Network Plus Acquires Claret Civil

Forward Corporate Finance is delighted to have advised Andy Gibbons, Managing Director and sole shareholder of Claret Civil Engineering (“Claret”), a specialist water and infrastructure services business based in Suffolk, on the sale of the company to Network Plus, one of the UK’s leading utility and infrastructure service providers. Established in 1994 and headquartered in Bury St Edmunds, Claret brings over 30 years of experience delivering turnkey solutions across the water, wastewater, and wider infrastructure sectors. The business has built a strong reputation for network maintenance and enhancement activities, ranging from specialist jetting, lining, and CCTV services through to larger-scale network improvement schemes. Operating within several highly collaborative Tier 1 frameworks, Claret has developed long-standing relationships with major water companies and leading contractors.

8 October 2025

Gresham House Ventures Invests in Greenwoods Legal Services

Forward Corporate Finance is delighted to have advised Greenwoods on its investment from Gresham House Ventures (“Gresham”) to accelerate its ambitious growth strategy. Greenwoods provides specialist legal advice to businesses and individuals across a broad range of disciplines, including corporate and commercial, employment, real estate, dispute resolution, intellectual property, and private client matters. With offices in London, Cambridge and Peterborough, the business has grown by nearly 45% in the past two years. The investment will enable it to deliver even greater value to clients through smarter technology, deeper sector expertise, and enhanced client service. The funding from Gresham House Ventures will be used to further strengthen the business’s technology offering, enhance its client service, and embed new growth initiatives.