Agathos are excited to announce the creation of Affinity Rail Group through the acquisitions of Amaro Signalling and Andromeda Engineering, creating a world leading group to help improve UK rail infrastructure.
The integration of these two businesses will be led by incoming Group CEO John March, an experienced managing director in the Network Rail and London Underground sector. John is supported by Group Finance Director Gerard Shipley, an ex-colleague and senior financial director in contracting businesses, and incoming Chairman Peter Williamson, who has a wealth of leadership experience and proven track record in growing businesses.
Amaro Signalling Limited is an engineering company that specializes in every aspect of designing and installing railway signalling and electrical power schemes. The firm was founded in January 2011 by railway professionals who met on a London Underground and Network Rail project. The business is based in Kent and Agathos are backing the team led by the two founders Steve Darch and Sam McCrow.
Andromeda Engineering Limited specialises in designing solutions for complex rail projects and in the last five years has worked on some of the UK’s largest railway schemes, including the modernisation of the Great Western route – a £10 billion electrification project running from Cardiff through Bristol, Swindon and Reading to London. The business was founded in February 2012 and is run by Barry Lumley, who started his career at Network Rail. The Company is based in Liverpool and is renowned for having industry leading electrification design capabilities and multi-disciplined solutions across the rail sector.
John March commented as follows:
“It has been a pleasure to work with Agathos in the investment of two specialist railway engineering companies, Amaro Signalling and Andromeda Engineering. Through the expertise and experience of the Agathos team it has been possible to join these two industry recognised specialists under one group which has instantly increased value of the individual brands. The vision and professionalism of the Agathos team was outstanding in recognising this excellent investment opportunity.
The Agathos team are excited to provide financial, strategic and operational support to help enable the high calibre existing management teams of Amero and Andromeda to focus on growth and establishing further complimentary divisions within the new Group.
Roland Houchin, Partner at Agathos:
“We are extremely pleased to have had the opportunity to support the Affinity transaction to establish and build this specialist rail services group. We’ve been very impressed with the teams of the core businesses: Amaro Signalling and Andromeda Engineering and we believe that by enhancing their propositions with additional capital to invest and attract high calibre industry leaders, the Group will be very well placed to serve the market and deliver quality projects.”
