Helios

Business Description

Helios is a a full-service, independent, global healthcare communications and strategic consultancy based in Cheshire. The company works with global pharmaceutical clients to deliver high-quality, high-impact bespoke solutions across a range of services including medical writing, advisory boards, training and symposia.

Helios, which ranked 17^th on the 2020 Sunday Times FastTrack 100, has achieved growth through a commitment to excellence in delivery, facilitated by investment in people and a focus on team culture.

Exit

NorthEdge announced the sale of Helios to Telemos Capital in October 2024, following a period of significant growth. The exit was led out of NorthEdge’s Manchester Head Office by Phil Frame, Partner at NorthEdge, alongside Andrew Minnock, CEO, and the senior management team at Helios. It represents the tenth exit for NorthEdge Fund II.

Building Better Businesses, Together

We invested in Helios in 2021, supporting the business build on their already strong track record of year-on-year growth and deep therapeutic area expertise, alongside having a reputation for working on globally significant projects.

Since 2021, the business has tripled its revenues, more than tripled its headcount, from 80 to almost 300, and expanded its global operations across the UK and US – all whilst maintaining market-leading EBITDA margins, high quality service delivery and strong employee engagement.

During the partnership, we have supported the business to establish a material presence in the US, significantly increasing the addressable market; expand into new therapeutic areas and clients; further develop its leading employee value proposition, which facilitated significant headcount growth and over 90% colleague retention; and upgrade the technology stack, to enhance service delivery and operational effectiveness.

In addition, earlier this year we supported Helios with the acquisition of Cogentia, a leading health economics and outcomes research (HEOR) and market access consultancy, to further expand its specialist services and increase global scale.

Phil Frame, Partner at NorthEdge, said: “We have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the Helios team since our investment in 2021. Since then, we have seen the business grow its national and international footprint, team and the number of clients it services – it’s another great example of a successful, regionally headquartered business that has global reach and a genuine impact on health outcomes. We look forward to watching the company continue to thrive with its new investment partner, Telemos.

“The exit of Helios represents our fourth regional healthcare deal in the last twelve months, following our investments into Latus Group, RoukenBio and Torbay Pharma, and demonstrates our commitment to supporting businesses in this sector to realise their strategic and social potential.”

Andrew Minnock, CEO of Helios Global Group, added: “Our journey with private equity investment to date has been an incredibly positive and enabling experience. We would like to thank the NorthEdge team for their contribution to the growth and continued success of Helios over the past three and a half years.

“Following their support, we are now ready for the next phase of our journey and remain incredibly excited about the future for Helios.”