Ancala Partners has completed the acquisition of Babcock's aerial emergency service businesses in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Finland on behalf of its managed funds for andeuro;136.2 million.

The business, which has been renamed Avincis, provides emergency medical, firefighting and search and rescue aviation services, typically under availability-based contracts with local and national governments. It operates a fleet of over 220 aircraft, of which approximately half are owned, across over 160 operating locations. Avincis will be led by incoming chief executive John Boag, who has 38 years' experience in the aviation industry, across Australia, Europe, Asia and North and South America. He was previously CEO of Cobham Aviation Services Australia, an aviation company that provides specialist aviation solutions to government and commercial customers. Prior to Cobham, he was the managing director of Babcock International's Australasian aviation division.

Ancala has also appointed Kim Gillis as the head of the Avincis advisory board. Kim was previously chairman of Cobham Aviation Services Australia and former vice president and managing director of Boeing Defence Australia. Neal Misell will be leaving the business.

Lee Mellor, partner at Ancala comments: “Avincis, formed through the carve out of certain aerial emergency service businesses from Babcock International, demonstrates Ancala's ability to source and execute differentiated investment opportunities. We look forward to working with John, Kim and the Avincis team to continue the safe and reliable delivery of critical emergency aviation services to communities across Iberia, Italy and the Nordics. I would like to thank Neal Misell for his leadership of the business and wish him the best for the future.”

John Boag, newly appointed chief executive officer of Avincis, adds: “I am proud to be joining the Avincis team. We have clear plans to grow and improve our business. Avincis is the European benchmark in search and rescue, a leader in firefighting and pioneer in emergency medical services. We will continue to provide our services with a strong focus on safety, operational excellence and efficiency, whilst seeking to harness new technologies.”

Babcock says that the proceeds of the sale will be used to reduce debt. This follows the sale of part of Babcock's civil training business to Inspirit Capital on 1 February 2023.

The completion of these two disposals concludes the Group's programme of portfolio alignment, which is designed to reduce complexity, focus the Group on its chosen markets and strengthen the balance sheet. As a result, defence now accounts for around two-thirds of Group revenue.

Babcock CEO David Lockwood reports: “We've done what we said we'd do at the start of our turnaround: we've strengthened the balance sheet and reduced complexity. Around two-thirds of the Group is now focused on defence, and we are well positioned for future growth opportunities in our core markets.

“The AES and civil training businesses are both in good hands, and I wish their new owners every success in growing the businesses further.”