Birmingham-based Opus Safety has acquired Preston-headquartered Suresite Health & Safety, a specialist serving more than 3,500 petrol stations across the UK. The deal, the fifth in Opus's recent acquisition spree, provides the firm with a “significant route into the petrol forecourt market”, according to the company.
All consultants at Suresite will transfer to Opus Safety, along with a network of associates. The value of the transaction has not been disclosed.
Fifth acquisition in recent wave
The takeover follows Opus's previous acquisitions of Agility Risk & Compliance, Three Spires Safety, GH Safety, and Sentinel Safety Solutions. The latest deal has been supported by OakNorth and BGF, which invested in Opus in July 2025.
Opus was founded by John Southall, Ian Hatherly, and Tom Baverstock. Southall said: “Suresite has built an enviable health and safety business over the last 30 years, developing a strong footprint in the petrol forecourt market through robust Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) risk assessments and compliance audits.”
Growth ambitions and strategic fit
Southall added: “As we look to accelerate our growth ambitions – both organically and through M&A – we wanted to seamlessly integrate a proven team and compliance and safety proposition that would strengthen our health and safety capabilities. The Suresite function is a perfect fit.”
David Bellis, investor at BGF, commented: “The acquisition of Suresite’s health and safety function is yet another demonstration of the Opus team’s ambition to build a company with strength and depth in personnel, services and technological capabilities, to meet the growing needs of customers across the safety, HR and occupational health compliance landscape.”
Bellis continued: “BGF aims to back local, ambitious businesses – those with robust business models and compelling growth prospects. Opus is an excellent example of this approach and we’re delighted to be supporting them on their exciting growth journey.”
Funding and advisory support
Safa Arif, associate at OakNorth, said: “The acquisition of Suresite represents another important step in Opus’ growth journey and is a strong strategic fit for the business. It’s great to see the management team continuing to identify and execute acquisitions that broaden the business’ capabilities and support its long-term growth ambitions.”
Arif added: “OakNorth is focused on backing ambitious management teams and working alongside experienced investors such as BGF to support their growth plans. We were pleased to provide Opus with the acquisition funding to support its buy-and-build strategy and are delighted to see that capital being deployed into another strategic acquisition.”
Evolve Corporate Finance and law firm Fieldfisher advised on the deal. Andy Lawton Smith at Fieldfisher said: “Our team has been delighted to provide legal support to John, Ian and Tom and the whole Opus Safety group throughout its exciting journey to date. The consolidation of very highly regarded boutique providers in this sector provides their clients with deeper resource and better technology to fulfil their critical operating functions while simultaneously providing these hugely respected and conscientious entrepreneurs with a safe home for their friends and often life-long relationships. It's a win-win.”
David Neate, partner at Evolve, said: “Having supported Opus from the outset, we are delighted to have led on this transaction. Suresite is a leading player in its niche and fits well with the buy and build strategy, with further growth opportunities which can be delivered through Opus’s Compliance Cloud technology.”
