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Inspecs Group PLC on Wednesday said it has agreed to a recommended takeover by a vehicle indirectly owned by entrepreneurs Luke Johnson, chair of private equity house Risk Capital Partners LLP, and Ian Livingstone, valuing the eyewear firm at £85.4 million. Inspecs shares were 13% higher at 82.02 pence in London on Wednesday afternoon after the announcement was made. The offer, made through Bidco 1125 Ltd, will see shareholders receive 84 pence in cash per share, more than double the 40.5p closing price on October 22, the day before the possible offer was announced. The bid represents a 107% premium to that price. Inspecs said its board has unanimously recommended the acquisition. Directors who together control around 19% of the company’s shares have committed to vote in favour of the scheme. As of Wednesday, Bidco had already received acceptances representing 31% of Inspecs’ voting rights. Johnson chairs private equity firm Risk Capital Partners, while Livingstone has significant experience in retail and optical businesses, including former ownership of the Optika Clulow chain. Alongside the cash bid, eligible shareholders may elect for an alternative offer comprising one unlisted Topco share and loan notes for each Inspecs share, subject to a cap covering around 33% of the current issued share capital. The consortium said it sees ‘meaningful opportunity’ to strengthen Inspecs’ competitive position and accelerate growth under private ownership, arguing the company would benefit from greater financial and strategic flexibility away from public markets. Copyright 2025 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
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