London finance firm greases wheels for Yorkshire engineering company to go global with major investment

A London finance firm has announced its investment in a Yorkshire design and engineering company.

Elysian Capital confirmed today that it has made a “substantial investment” in Sheffield’s SCX Special Projects, meaning it now has a majority stake in the company.

SCX has designed kinetic architecture projects for a range of uses, including a second retractable roof at Wimbledon over its number one court and the retractable dividing pitch at the new Tottenham Hotspur stadium.

Simon Eastwood, who is standing down as chairman of SCX Special Projects to focus on his other business interests, said: “I realised several years ago with the increase in very high profile projects that the company had an incredible future.

“The exposure for the company in completing these projects has and is opening many new doors, not least of all from overseas.

“Having worked with Andy Whitworth [SCX CEO] since 1992 and seen the way the business has developed, it has become increasingly apparent that we needed to bring on board new investment and expertise to allow Andy and his team to realise the true potential of SCX Special Projects.

“We have therefore been working with our advisors for some time to achieve this and I am delighted to have found in Elysian Capital a partner who can help take the business to the next level and, as a continuing shareholder, I look forward to its future success.”

Andy Whitworth, CEO of SCX, added: “We are very excited about the next phase of SCX Special Projects.

“Our growing reputation, helped by a number of recent high profile projects, has generated significant enquiries especially from overseas, a market we have only recently started to develop.

“The support of Elysian Capital will allow us to capitalise on the major growth opportunities which we are seeing both in the UK and internationally.”

The deal was advised by South Yorkshire firms BHP and Keebles.