INVESTORS have provided a strategic boost for a boutique Sale corporate finance outfit.

Independent advisors Dow Schofield Watts have also secured a seven-figure debt facility from OakNorth Bank for Camlee Group.

A provider of business sales advice to small and medium-sized enterprises, the arrangement will see them take on more mid-market deals.

Camlee has a northern office in Brooklands Place and southern operation at Borehamwood and employs 20 people in total.

It has been confirmed that founders Cameron Varley and Lee Wojtkiw will remain with the business.

In recent times Camlee has represented Cirteq, the Keighley-based precision manufacturer, on its sale to German-owned Titgemeyer.

And the firm, which has been going strong since at least 2012, was also in the corner of hydraulic fittings firm Miric Engineering, in Nottinghamshire, as it was acquired by Brennan Industries, of Cleveland, Ohio.

Bosses say the move will give Camlee's clients access to the wider range of services at Dow Schofield Watts and allow the two businesses to work in partnership to expand their presence nationally.

James Dow, founding partner of Dow Schofield Watts, said: "Camlee Group is highly respected amongst its peers and fits well with our own ethos of providing a professional service.

"We are delighted to find a partner who could bring a different approach but one that is consistent with our values.

"he partnership will enhance Camlee’s capabilities to support its clients and speed up our own national roll-out.

"We’re grateful to the team at OakNorth who not only approached the deal with a commercial and collaborative mindset, but also ensured the process was completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Daniel Martin and Stewart Haworth, debt finance directors, based in OakNorth Bank’s Manchester office, said in a joint statement: "This deal represents a fantastic opportunity to support a highly reputable advisory firm with its future growth strategy.

"Between them, Dow Schofield Watts’ founders have almost a century’s worth of advisory experience and have built a business with a sound reputation and diversified offering.

"We’re delighted to support them with this strategic investment and look forward to working with them on further deals in the future.”

Brabners advised OakNorthBank as part of the Camlee deal and Dow Schofield Watts was advised by Hill Dickinson. Naylor Wintershill acted for Camlee.