Morris Company acquires Seal Communication

D5 Capital advised Seal Communications.

(Birmingham, UK: 23rd December 2005): Seal Communications, the leading Birmingham based PR and advertising agency, has been acquired by Morris Company, one of the UK's top 500 private businesses.

As part of the deal Spirit Marketing Solutions, Morris's Shropshire based PR and marketing consultancy, will be re-branded Seal with the enlarged business employing 40 staff from offices in Birmingham, London and Shrewsbury.

Steven Dann, who led a management buy out of Seal three years ago, will be retained as managing director to work alongside the new director Chris Morris and chief executive Katie Morris. Bob Warman, Seal's current chairman becomes a consultant with Claire Deeley retained as deputy MD and Phil Birchall as creative director.

D5 Capital advised Steve Dann throughout the negotiations with Morris Company.

Commenting on the deal, Rupert Ashe, CEO of D5 Capital said: "This deal is perfect for Steve Dann and the staff of Seal. They have joined forces with a very well-established family business with an exceptionally strong balance sheet and the same cultural values."

Steven Dann, who joined Seal 23 years ago, commented: "This deal comes on the back of our most successful year to date and represents the start of a new era for the company. It will provide the impetus to take the Seal brand to new levels through further investment and the introduction of new people across all levels.

"As well as having an impressive business track record stretching back more than 100 years the Morris Company is a substantial and dynamic organisation that shares our values of putting people first."