Succession & acquisition · UK & European event production
The right successor for the company you built.
Ignite Group acquires established event production and AV businesses across the UK and Europe from owners planning their next chapter. We come from the live events industry, and we protect what matters most to you: your people, your clients and the reputation you spent years earning.
Prefer to talk first? Call 020 7754 5453, in confidence.
Our production teams have delivered live events featuring two US presidents, a former UK prime minister, Sir Richard Branson and Lord Sugar.
Why owners choose Ignite
You only sell once. Choose a buyer who understands the business.
Owners of established production companies raise the same questions: what happens to the team, how will clients react, and will the deal actually complete? Our approach is built around those answers.
Industry operators, not financiers
We run live production businesses ourselves. We understand crewing, kit cycles, rate cards and why a client relationship is worth more than its last invoice.
Your people at the centre
Our plans are built around retaining your management team and crew. They are a large part of why we are interested in your business.
Continuity for your clients
Clients keep working with the people they trust, now with the added capacity and facilities of a wider group behind them.
Clarity of process
You deal directly with the decision-maker. We explain how any offer is structured and funded before you commit time to due diligence.
An exit on your timetable
A defined handover period to introduce clients and support your team, agreed with you at the outset and never imposed at the end.
Complete discretion
No contact with your staff, clients or suppliers without your agreement. Confidentiality agreements as standard.
Who we are
Built at the sharp end of live events.
Ignite Group is the group behind specialist businesses in live event production and broadcast, led by founder Sanjeev Desour. For nearly two decades he has led production for conferences, seminars and corporate events across the UK and Europe, for demanding clients and some of the world's best-known speakers. He has founded, built and advised event businesses throughout his career.
Today the group includes IGNITE Events, the IGNITE Studios broadcast facility in Watford, and White Label AV, which provides production capacity to agencies and production companies. Acquisition is the next stage: bringing strong, well-run production companies together under one group, with each keeping the identity and relationships that made it successful.
When you sit down with us, you won't need to explain what a load-in involves, what a good crew chief is worth, or why a fifteen-year client matters more than any spreadsheet.
- Headquarters
- Watford, Hertfordshire
- Facilities
- Our own warehouse and broadcast studio
- Reach
- Events delivered across the UK and throughout Europe
- Focus
- Established event production, AV, staging and broadcast businesses in the UK and Europe
- Leadership
- Founder-led, with direct access to the decision-maker
See us at work
From load-in to a full arena.
An IGNITE Events production at the NEC, Birmingham. Rigging, sound, lighting, screens and the crew who deliver them, seen from our side of the stage.
IGNITE Events · NEC, Birmingham1 min 32 sec · Music only, no narration
In a venue's words
What it is like to work with us
“Their professionalism, attention to detail and communication has been outstanding.”
“I have worked in the special events industry for many years now and am at the prestigious London Syon Park, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel and have had the pleasure of working with IGNITE. Their professionalism, attention to detail and communication has been outstanding. They have worked with our venue most efficiently and have tended to our every need without challenge and have always been easy to communicate with and have a very polite and friendly attitude. What they have created for our clients was a stunning high end production. I look forward to working with them again in the near future.”
Who we partner with
Well-run businesses with a reputation worth protecting.
We are selective, and we look for quality over quantity. If your business shares most of these qualities, we would value a conversation.
An established reputation
An event production, AV, staging, lighting or broadcast business in the UK or Europe with a proven track record and a name clients trust.
Turnover of £1m or more
Revenue of at least £1m a year, built on consistent event work over several years rather than a single exceptional season.
Sound profitability
Consistent EBITDA and well-kept accounts that show clearly where the margin is earned.
Loyal, recurring clients
Corporate, agency and venue clients who return year after year.
A broad client base
Revenue spread across many clients, sectors or event types, giving the business resilience.
A capable leadership team
Managers who run projects, crews and client relationships day to day, and who want to be part of what comes next.
An owner planning succession
A founder considering retirement or a change of focus, who wants the business and its people to thrive after the handover.
Not sure whether your business fits? Many conversations begin as a simple exchange of views, with no cost and no obligation. Start a confidential conversation or see our full criteria.
For you as the owner
What you can expect from us
A fair, reasoned valuation
Based on the real performance of your business, with our reasoning explained openly.
A clear deal structure
Typically a payment on completion combined with deferred consideration, agreed with you and your advisers.
Respect for your brand
Where your name carries weight with clients, we keep it.
One point of contact
Direct access to the founder throughout, with prompt answers and openness at every stage.
How it works
A clear path from first conversation to completion
Every transaction is different, but most move through five phases. You stay in control throughout and can pause at any point. Read the full process
- Phase1
Confidential introduction
A private call or a meeting at your premises. We discuss your business, your goals for yourself and your team, and whether there is a fit.
- Phase2
NDA and initial review
A confidentiality agreement is signed before you share detailed information: accounts, client mix and team structure.
- Phase3
Indicative offer
We set out our valuation, deal structure and proposed handover plan in writing.
- Phase4
Due diligence
A focused review of finances, contracts, equipment and people, coordinated with your advisers to keep the demands on your time light.
- Phase5
Completion and handover
Legal agreements are signed, the transaction completes, and the agreed handover plan begins with you and your team.
Or call 020 7754 5453. There is no obligation at any stage.
For advisers & intermediaries
Acting for a business owner?
We welcome introductions from corporate finance advisers, business brokers, accountants and solicitors representing owners of event production and AV businesses in the UK and Europe.
We act as principal, so you and your client deal directly with the decision-maker. We respect your process and timetable, and engage constructively from the first conversation.
- Prompt response to every introduction
- Confidentiality agreements signed as standard
- Direct access to the decision-maker
- Clear feedback, whatever the outcome
- Make an introduction
- Information for advisers
Insights for owners
Guides to selling an event production business
Practical, plain-English guides for owners thinking about succession, written from inside the industry.
Questions owners ask
Before you get in touch
What kind of businesses does Ignite Group acquire?
Established event production, AV, staging, lighting and broadcast businesses in the UK and Europe, typically with turnover of £1m or more, consistent profitability, loyal recurring clients and a capable management team, where the owner is planning their succession.
Will my staff or clients find out we are talking?
Not from us. We do not contact your staff, clients or suppliers without your agreement. Many owners choose to involve their senior team only once terms are agreed.
What happens to my team after a sale?
Our approach is built around keeping the people who make your business work. We discuss the future of your team openly and early, so there are no surprises.
Do I have to stay on after completion?
Yes, for a short handover period. Your knowledge and relationships are a large part of what makes the business work, so you stay involved for an agreed period to introduce clients, support the team and pass on what you know. We agree the length of the handover and your role with you at the outset, so you know exactly when you can step away.
Do you acquire businesses outside the UK?
Yes. We deliver events across Europe regularly and actively consider event production companies in Europe as well as the UK.
Will my company keep its name?
Where your brand is valued by clients and the market, we keep the name.
How is the purchase price paid?
Typically part on completion and part as deferred consideration. The balance between the two is agreed with you and your advisers as part of the offer.
Who is behind Ignite Group?
Ignite Group is a trading name of Ignite Enterprises Ltd, founded and led by Sanjeev Desour. The group includes IGNITE Events, IGNITE Studios and White Label AV, based in Watford, Hertfordshire.
Am I committing to anything by getting in touch?
No. An initial conversation is entirely confidential and carries no obligation. Many owners start these conversations years before they plan to step back.
Our companies
Looking for one of our businesses?
If you are a client or looking for event services, each of our companies has its own team and website.
Live events
Sound, lighting, staging and LED for conferences, seminars and corporate events across the UK and Europe.
Visit igniteevents.com →Broadcast
A premium broadcast stage and a webinar and interview studio in Watford for virtual and hybrid events.
Visit ignitestudios.co.uk →Agency partner
Production capacity for agencies and production companies, delivered discreetly under their brand.
Visit whitelabelav.com →Confidential enquiry
Start with a private conversation.
Whether you plan to step back this year or in a few years, an early conversation gives you more options. Every enquiry is read and answered personally by the founder.
- A personal reply within one working day
- Handled in strict confidence
- NDA signed before detailed information is shared
- Happy to meet at your premises
Prefer to talk?
Call us on 020 7754 5453. Every call is handled in confidence.