A corporate intelligence firm which employs Sir John Sawers, the former head of MI6, is closing in on a deal to sell a big stake to a buyout firm.
Sky News has learnt that G3, which was founded in 2004 and advises clients on a range of risks affecting their businesses, has been in detailed talks in recent weeks with private equity suitors including Oakley Capital and KKR.
Precise details of a transaction were unclear on Sunday, although one source suggested that a deal was likely in the coming days, and could value the business at between £200m and £250m.
They said that Oakley Capital – founded by the entrepreneur Peter Dubens – had emerged as the most likely investor, although a deal had yet to be agreed.
Bridgepoint, another London-based private equity firm, had also expressed an interest in G3, the source added.
G3 already has some external investment, having struck a deal with All Seas Capital in 2022, according to the latter’s website.
The firm – which files accounts under the name G3 Good Governance Group – advises companies, private equity firms, sovereign wealth funds and pension funds on areas of commercial risk such as cybersecurity, reported a 27% rise in revenue in 2023.
During that year, the latest for which accounts are available, it recorded earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of nearly £9m.
Sir John, who stepped down as the head of MI6 in 2014, was named chairman of G3’s advisory board last year.
Oakley Capital declined to comment, while G3 could not be reached for comment this weekend.