Leeds MBO: Founders Buy Out Nutral Solutions

A Leeds MBO backed by NEL Fund Managers has been acquired by founders Alex Gosney and Ben Wardleworth as construction demand grows for the workforce-compliance specialist

The founders of a Leeds workforce-compliance business have bought out their institutional investor to take full control. In a Leeds MBO advised by RG Corporate Finance and funded by NEL Fund Managers, Alex Gosney and Ben Wardleworth have secured complete ownership of Nutral Solutions following the exit of Human Capital Investment Group. The Leeds-headquartered firm helps construction contractors and major infrastructure projects manage payroll, IR35 compliance, vendor management and supply-chain assurance. The deal, whose value was not disclosed, is designed to fund the company’s next phase of growth.

Why This Matters For Leeds

A founder buyout keeps ownership and decision-making in the city, and the growth capital should support hiring and new contract wins. It also shows regional funders backing Yorkshire management teams.

Inside the Leeds MBO

Founded in 2021, the Leeds-headquartered firm helps principal and specialist contractors and major infrastructure projects with managed service provision, vendor management, contractor payroll, IR35 compliance and workforce consultancy. The company has grown as construction firms place greater weight on supply-chain assurance, driven by tighter regulation and a sharper focus on protecting workers and reputations. NEL Fund Managers, which invests across Yorkshire and the North, provided the funding and says it moved from first meeting to completion in a matter of weeks. RG Corporate Finance led the advice, drawing on a team that had supported Nutral through its outsourced finance function for several years, with legal advice from Wilkin Chapman Rollits.

“As regulation becomes more complex and expectations continue to rise, businesses increasingly want trusted partners who can help them manage risk while supporting major projects.”

— Alex Gosney, Chief Executive Officer, Nutral Solutions

A Growing Compliance Niche

The business sits in a corner of the market that has expanded fast. Construction has one of the highest self-employment rates of any UK sector, roughly a third of workers, which creates exactly the kind of complex, high-liability supply chain that Nutral is built to police. Its accreditation scheme checks firms across the chain and reports formally, turning compliance into a documented state rather than an annual self-declaration. With full ownership secured, Alex Gosney and Ben Wardleworth say they can invest further in services and client relationships and build on recent contract wins. For NEL, the investment reflects continued backing of management teams across Yorkshire and the wider North.