Elysian Capital III LP supports Activate Group Holdings Limited to expand its body shop capacity with the strategic acquisition of Motorcare sites in Kent and Bristol

Following on from its original acquisition in January 2024, Elysian Capital is pleased to announce further investment in Activate Group Holdings Limited (“Activate”) to support the acquisition of two well-established Motorcare bodyshops in Tunbridge Wells (Kent) and Bristol. 

Activate provides accident management services to insurance groups and corporate fleet operators through its MRN and Sopp+Sopp brands, undertaking the vehicle repairs either in house through its own network of repair centres or externally through its network of third-party repair centres. 

Since 2019, Activate Accident Repair, the group’s bodyshop division, has grown significantly through the development of purpose-built, state-of-the-art repair centres. This acquisition allows Activate Group to further enhance its capacity to deliver high-quality repairs to the growing base of fleet and insurer clients, serviced by its sopp+sopp and Motor Repair Network businesses respectively. The Motorcare transaction marks the first acquisition of existing repair sites by the group and represents a new chapter in its commitment to expanding its owned repair capacity in high-demand areas.

As part of the acquisition, both sites will be rebranded under the Activate Accident Repair banner and will benefit from significant investment aimed at enhancing their existing capabilities.

Hannah Wilcox, CEO of Activate Group, commented, “Our acquisition of these Motorcare sites is a strategic step to better support our fleet and insurer clients, meeting the demands of our growing customer base in high-need areas. We’re thrilled to welcome the skilled teams at Tunbridge Wells and Bristol into the Activate family and to build on their existing strengths, enhancing each site to reflect the high standards our customers expect from Activate Accident Repair.”

Elysian Capital and Activate were advised by: Squire Patton Boggs (legal); Eight Advisory (tax); Aon (Insurance); and CBRE (property).