Keyhaven Capital Partners backs Ama Capital’s acquisition of The Vella Group

• The Vella Group (“Vella”) is one of the UK’s largest and fastest growing B2B automotive repair centre groups (“ARCs”)
• This investment provides further funding to deliver the next phase of organic and inorganic growth, while solidifying Vella’s position as a leading automotive services platform including the technical repairs of electric vehicles and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (“ADAS”)
• This transaction marks Keyhaven Capital Partners’ (“Keyhaven”) second investment in 2025

Keyhaven, the specialist private equity firm dedicated to the European lower mid-market, backs Ama Capital (“Ama”) in the acquisition of Vella, currently operating across 18 sites in the North West and Midlands.

Founded in 1986, Vella has become one of the most trusted and respected ARCs in the UK, holding longstanding relationships with many of the UK’s leading motor insurers, and manufacturer-approved status with multiple brands including Tesla, Audi, Volkswagen and Nissan. In recent years, it has achieved strong growth under the leadership of the Managing Director Marc Holding, through a combination of expanding capacity and delivering market-leading, client-focused service.

Ama Capital Founding Partner, Ed Ransome, commented:

“We’re delighted to support Marc and the team at Vella. What they have achieved to date is highly impressive, but not surprising given the company’s considered approach to growth and its focus on quality, organisational cohesion, culture and stakeholder alignment. 

A number of our seasoned team will support Marc and management in the next phase of the company’s growth. We’re enthused by what we can achieve together, alongside Andrew and the team at Keyhaven.”

Andrew Ware, Partner at Keyhaven, added:

“We are excited at the prospect of helping to grow Vella and supporting Marc and his team in a sector that we have experience in.  This is going to be a different journey from our prior experiences of the sector as we are very aware of Vella’s differentiated approach and raison d'être coming at a time of further evolution of the sector.     

We’ve known Ed and Miles from their previous roles over a number of years. It’s great to see what they are building as a differentiated investment model in the UK lower to mid-market and to be able to partner with them on their first investment. Ama’s commitment to adding genuine operational value and capital to investee businesses, drawing upon its in-house team of experienced business leaders, really sets it apart.”

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About Keyhaven Capital Partners

Keyhaven is a specialist private equity firm dedicated to the European lower mid-market, focused on co-underwriting transactions with local sponsors. With a diverse team, a network embedded in local markets and a flexible approach to deal making, Keyhaven works with niche industry leaders to accelerate growth, building robust, sustainable businesses that deliver for their investors, employees and local communities.

Since its foundation in 2003, Keyhaven has invested or advised on investments worth in excess of €2.3 billion, representing over 70 transactions across Europe.

About Ama Capital

Ama Capital is a UK lower mid-market investment firm. The unique approach utilises the real-world experience and understanding of proven, in-house, industry leaders and functional specialists, all of whom are invested in the firm.

Ama provide up to £25 million of funding to profitable companies, taking majority and minority positions, backing buyouts, funding growth, retirement sales and carves outs. Ama focus on companies within the Financial & Professional Services, Specialist Engineering & Industrials and Business Services sectors.