“Our decision to partner with MML was founded on shared values and a goal to change the way water companies and industrial water users enhance their treatment processes.”

Iain MacGregor, Chief Executive, Envoy and RSE

RSE

ross-eng.com
Minority investment alongside founders to build the market-leading service provider to the water industry.

The business

RSE is the UK's leading technology provider to the water industry. It specialises in the design, manufacture and maintenance of water treatment plants. Its innovative modular build methodology is transforming the industry, driving better quality water for consumers alongside better environmental outcomes.

The deal

MML has known the RSE business for over two years and has seen it double in size over that time. MML partnered with Iain, Allan and the team as a minority investor to support the team to deliver an ambitious growth plan and continue to become the leading technology and service provider to the water industry.

Fund
Partnership Capital
Region
Europe
Deal Status
Current
Sector
Infrastructure services

Catch up with CEO, Iain MacGregor

How would you explain what RSE does to a five year old?

I had to do this recently with my five year old daughter Aria! There are 68 million people in our country who rely on clean water to survive. We build equipment to keep those people safe, removing dangerous bugs from our drinking water, and cleaning up dirty water so it doesn’t harm fish, animals or the environment. The reason we are so busy is because water companies like the way we make this equipment – it is faster, safer and lasts longer than everyone else’s!

What was RSE's story before MML invested?

RSE was founded by Allan Dallas in 1982 to help support Scottish Water, and since then the business has grown strongly into the commanding market position it has today. Scotland has an incredibly well invested water asset base and over time it has become apparent that there is strong demand for our specialist skillset outside of Scotland. We have grown the business by driving empowerment and a sense of ownership deep into the organisation. For example, our biggest single expense is training our people to have the right leadership skills to enable them to behave like business owners - that is a key part of our commercial edge.

What made you choose MML as your partner?

We were looking for a partner who supported our mission to become the market leader in the water industry and understood that the value of our business was in its culture and people. We prioritise having a humble, low-ego culture and this resonates strongly with Rich, Amar, Christian and James. It is clear they are genuine partnership investors and I am excited to see how much we can achieve together. In addition, their commitment to prioritising ESG outcomes as a key part of our growth plan strongly aligned with our values.

How is RSE driving better ESG outcomes for the industry and the community?

Fundamentally we are trying to deliver better water outcomes for consumers and the environment through the adoption of the right technologies. The plants we engineer typically have half the carbon footprint of our peers’ while being implemented in half the time.

We also have a significant sense of responsibility to the local communities we support. This can be seen throughout our many community events and sponsorship engagements alongside the exciting outcomes for our employees.

Related news

MML partners with leading modular water technology provider, RSE
RSE is the UK's leading technology provider to the water industry. It specialises in the design, manufacture and maintenance of water treatment plants and its innovative modular building methodology is transforming the industry, driving better quality water for consumers alongside better environmental outcomes. We are excited to partner with Envoy Capital (“Envoy”), Iain MacGregor and RSE’s founder Allan Dallas to help continue their impressive growth journey.

Associated deal team

Richard Mayers

Managing Partner (UK - Partnership Capital)
Europe

Amar Shanghavi

Investment Director
Europe

Christian Brown

Investment Manager
Europe

James Church

Investment Manager
Europe

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For investors in MML Fund VI, MML Ireland I & MML Ireland II

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