Key Capital Partners invests in Green Group
Investment will support the next phase of growth for The Green Recruitment Company and Green Executives
Key makes minority investment in Green Group
Key Capital Partners (“Key”) has made a minority investment in Green Group (Partners) Limited (“Green Group”), the business behind The Green Recruitment Company and Green Executives, to support the Group’s next phase of growth.
Established in 2020 to bring together The Green Recruitment Company (TGRC) and Green Executives (GX), Green Group is a specialist talent partner supporting the global green economy. The Group helps organisations attract high-quality talent across renewable energy, clean technology, manufacturing, ESG and green finance. Its experienced consultants provide fast, reliable and insight-led recruitment solutions, supporting clients from startups and scale-ups through to global enterprises.
Headquartered in London, Green Group has an international office network spanning Europe, South Africa, North America and Asia. Since bringing TGRC and GX together under one group in 2020, the business has scaled its headcount from 20 to more than 80 employees and increased turnover from $2.5m to more than $35m. During that time, it has also diversified beyond permanent direct hire solutions into contract and temporary services, executive search and RPO workforce solutions.
The investment provides equity release for existing shareholders and significant growth capital to support Green Group’s next phase of expansion. The growth capital will enable the Group to continue developing its technology capabilities, including the use of AI to drive internal efficiencies; enhance the onboarding, training and development of consultants globally; accelerate market penetration across the Americas, EMEA and APAC; and further develop its contract workforce solutions offering.
Daniel Smart, CEO and Founder of Green Group, said:
“Building a more sustainable global economy is one of the defining challenges of our generation. With climate change placing increasing strain on communities and natural ecosystems worldwide, the need to accelerate the transition to net-zero carbon emissions has never been more urgent. We mobilise the workforce that helps make that ambition a reality.
On behalf of the Board, we are delighted to be partnering with Key as we enter the next stage of our growth. Their understanding of our business model, alignment with our ambitions and strong cultural fit with our team were all important considerations in choosing them as our investment partner.”
Philip Duquenoy, Partner at Key Capital Partners, said:
“Daniel Smart has a proven track record as an entrepreneur and leader in the staffing industry. We look forward to working with him and the Green Group team as they continue to scale the business in the fast growing and developing renewable energy market.”
The investment reflects Key’s confidence in Green Group’s experienced management team, international platform and deep sector specialism. It also builds on Key’s strong track record in human capital management, having previously invested in Templine, Hallam Medical, EarthStream Global, NursePlus and Sparta Global.
Oliver Watson joins Green Group as Chair, bringing more than 30 years of experience at Michael Page, where he played a key role in scaling the business internationally. Oliver will work alongside Volker Beckers CBE, who continues as Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Advisory Committee. A senior leader with extensive experience across energy and infrastructure, Volker’s relationships and deep sector expertise will continue to be essential to the Group as it scales. Dan Potts, who has been with the business since 2021, continues as CFO, alongside Nic Yates as COO and Stephen Redmond as CMO.
The investment was led by Key’s London-based team, including Philip Duquenoy (Partner), James Excell (Partner) and Ellie Nicholls (Investment Director).
Advisors
Key was advised by Addleshaw Goddard (Legal), led by David Parker and Charlotte Martin. Due diligence was conducted by Phil Dean and Felicity Roberts of Cortus Transaction Services (Financial), Hannah Tipper and Ses Memhi of Claritas (Tax), Suzy Smith of RPL (Commercial), Gareth Murphy of Fluid IT (IT), Daniel Blake and Dominic Horton of Vista Insurance (Insurance), and Anna Cornwallis of Stratton HR (Management).
Green Group shareholders were advised by Ward Hadaway (Legal), led by Sean FitzGerald, and Saffery (Tax), led by Adam Kay.