Wilkes advises WASS Holdings Limited on acquisition of Creative Live group and two further strategic acquisitions in the events sector
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Solicitor firm Wilkes has advised WASS Holdings Limited on the acquisition of four entities operating under the “Creative Live” banner — Creative Hire Limited, Creative Hub Limited, Be Creative Modular Limited and Creative Event Spaces — consolidating the group under a single holding company.
WASS Holdings Limited was established by the majority shareholders of the relevant target companies, being Simon Clifton, Wesley Britton, Adam Aston-Levene and Stephen Barnett, to bring the group together under a unified structure and create a strong platform for future growth.
Wilkes subsequently advised WASS Holdings Limited (trading as Creative Live) on two simultaneous acquisitions: Space Studio Graphic Limited, which provides graphic design services for event stands and signage, and Event Specialists, which plans, manages and builds events. These acquisitions significantly broaden Creative Live’s service offering and reinforce its position as a leading full-service supplier to the UK live events market.
Creative Live is a fast-growing supplier to the live events market, specialising in the design and development of branded exhibition stands, installations, activations and live experiences, as well as sound, lighting and furniture hire. With offices in Coventry and London, the business operates over 150,000 square feet of storage holding more than 240,000 items. Its impressive portfolio spans museums, festivals, art fairs, corporate events and B2B and B2C environments — with key clients including the NEC and projects such as Plasa, the technology trade show at Olympia. Creative Live is also expanding internationally, with services now offered in France and Germany.
Simon Clifton, shareholder of WASS Holdings Limited, commented: “These acquisitions mark a hugely exciting chapter for Creative Live. Bringing the group together under a single holding company gives us the solid foundation we need to grow with confidence, and the addition of Space Studio Graphic and Event Specialists means we can now offer clients a truly end-to-end events solution. The team at Wilkes made what could have been a complex process feel straightforward – their advice was clear, commercial and always delivered with genuine care for our business. We’re thrilled with the outcome and look forward to what comes next.”
The transactions reflect the continued appetite for consolidation within the UK live events sector, which has seen significant recovery and investment following the challenges of recent years. With Creative Live’s growing international footprint and expanding service capabilities, the group is well-positioned to capitalise on the strong demand for high-quality, end-to-end event solutions.
Wilkes acted for WASS Holdings Limited across all three acquisitions, providing comprehensive corporate legal advice throughout the process. The Real Estate team at Wilkes also provided support on property matters arising from the transactions.
Lucy Freeman, Partner in the Corporate team at Wilkes, commented: “It was a pleasure to support Simon and the team at Creative Live on these transactions. To advise on three acquisitions including two simultaneous deals is a real testament to the ambition and vision of the shareholders, and we’re proud to have played a part in helping them build something truly exciting. Creative Live is a fantastic business with a well-earned reputation in the events world, and these acquisitions position it perfectly for the next phase of its growth.”