News
16-Sept-2005 - LGC acquisition of Forensic Alliance shakes up
£200m UK forensic science market
LGC and Forensic Alliance Limited join forensic operations
Two of the UK’s major private sector suppliers of forensic
services have combined their forensic operations. LGC – Europe’s
leading independent provider of analytical and diagnostic services
– has announced its acquisition of Forensic Alliance Limited (FAL)
– the UK’s largest private sector provider of forensic science
services to investigators and the courts.
The combined forensic capabilities of LGC and FAL extend the
breadth and depth of cutting-edge scientific solutions available
from a single source. These are fundamental to the effective
performance of the police service and the court system, and to the
resolution of issues affecting private sector customers. In
addition to its other scientific services, LGC’s forensic expertise
includes DNA profiling, digital crime units, questioned documents,
forensic drug analysis and toxicology. FAL provides a complete
range of services across all areas of mainstream forensic science,
in addition to more specialist offerings including forensic ecology
(e.g. entomology, palynology, soils, anthropology and archaeology),
integrated pathology and specialist firearms examination and
ballistics.
A major implication of the acquisition will be the creation of
more effective competition in the £200m UK outsourced forensic
service market. The market is itself currently undergoing radical
reform with the introduction of formal competitive tendering across
43 police forces in England and Wales. Combining FAL with LGC’s
Forensic Services division enhances the ability of both to serve
customers in this increasingly competitive market.
Announcing the acquisition, Dr Nigel Law, Chief Executive of LGC
said: "The merger of FAL with LGC’s Forensic Services division
creates a powerful player in the forensic science market. In
addition to benefiting from our world-class forensic solutions, new
and existing police force, court and private sector customers will
undoubtedly also benefit from improved turnround times and
efficiencies in procurement. I am personally delighted by this
announcement and look forward to leading LGC’s continued
success."
Dr Angela Gallop, Chief Executive, Forensic Alliance, will lead
the combined forensic business and becomes a Director of LGC Group
Holdings plc. She commented: "This is a significant development
for the market because, by fusing our two teams, we are creating a
truly dynamic, comprehensive forensic resource - providing
excellence across the whole forensic spectrum from the most simple
to the most complex of cases, and with greater capacity to meet
rising demand for our services. In short, the merger allows us to
continue shaping the future of forensic science to the benefit of
our customers in the Criminal Justice System, and of society at
large."
The acquisition of Forensic Alliance will increase LGC’s staff
from 780 employees to over 1,000. LGC is headquartered in
Teddington, Middlesex, with other UK laboratories in Runcorn and
Edinburgh, and the Group will now be strengthened by the addition
of FAL’s laboratories in Culham (Oxfordshire), Risley (Cheshire),
Tamworth (Staffordshire) and a specialist firearms facility within
the Royal Armouries based in Leeds.
Following the all-share acquisition by LGC of FAL’s holding
company, Forensic Alliance is now a member of the LGC Group.
Established in 1997, with finance from AEA Technology, Forensic
Alliance Limited became independent following a management buy-out
in 2002, backed by Close Brothers.
Notes to
Editors