Leeds tech consultancy completes MBO, appointing three new directors and a CEO

Leeds based technology consultancy, Fluid, has announced the completion of a management buyout which sees the appointment of three new shareholders and founder and MD, Gareth Murphy, stepping into the role of CEO to oversee the larger board structure and governance.

The three new directors are existing members of Fluid’s senior leadership team. This includes IT transformation director, Jason Lock; technology director, Michael McCarthy; and commercial director, Alex Pidgeon.

Fluid offers a range of technology and consultancy services to clients across the UK. Its 19-strong team of full-time and associate staff works on all enterprise level IT projects and business critical systems, aligning with each clients’ business to drive engagement with technology, and deliver positive, lasting changes. Clients include Bettys and Taylors Group, Key Capital Partners and Outdo.

Gareth Murphy co-founded Fluid in 2013 and underwent a previous management buyout in 2023, where he took full control and split from the enterprise resource planning (ERP) arm of the business. Gareth now retains a 33 per cent stake in the business, with the rest of the shares in the hands of the three new directors, with a wider pool of shares available for future management.

Speaking of the buyout, Gareth Murphy said: “I am incredibly excited for this next chapter for Fluid and proud to welcome three key members of the senior leadership team into director positions. At Fluid, commitment is at the core of everything we do, and this move will solidify that.

“When I bought out our previous shareholders to pursue the Fluid we have today, it was always my goal to put Fluid back in the hands of its people. I am very proud to have reached that milestone and hope that we can welcome more of our leaders to the fold in future as we continue to grow. Our people are our greatest asset, and they have helped us to achieve every success that we have had to date.

“I want to reassure our clients and partners that day-to-day operations will not change. We hope that this move will allow us to provide an even more tailored and personal service.”

Alex Pidgeon, who joined the firm in 2022 as a business development manager, added: “We have always felt that the success of each project is our own personal success, so I am delighted to formalise that and join Gareth as a shareholder and director of Fluid.

“I am excited for this next chapter and to further support the company in its growth and service offering for our clients.”

Advising on the deal were corporate lawyers, Sharon Needle and Connor Kendle from Needle, and corporate finance advisor, Clive Smetham, from Whitehall Corporate Finance.