Acteon Group

In 1989, a company was established in Norwich, UK, with a specific focus on engineering solutions for offshore energy infrastructure. This firm, initially known as UWG Group, began its journey with organic growth through the 1990s. The company's playbook, however, would soon be defined by a series of strategic acquisitions. The focus shifted more towards subsea services, and in 2004, the business rebranded to Acteon Group to reflect this new orientation. The acquisition strategy was aggressive; from 2004 to 2011, Acteon acquired numerous companies to build out a comprehensive suite of subsea capabilities. A pivotal chapter began in 2012 when private equity giant KKR acquired a majority stake from the previous investor, First Reserve. This wasn't just a change in ownership; it was an injection of capital and expertise that fueled further expansion. Under KKR's ownership, Acteon solidified its position, providing critical seabed-to-surface equipment and services for the entire lifecycle of an oilfield. The story took another turn in March 2024. After more than a decade with KKR, Acteon was acquired by another set of private equity investors, Buckthorn Partners and One Equity Partners (OEP). The new owners announced a substantial investment with a clear mandate: to enhance Acteon's capabilities and sharpen its focus on the growing offshore renewables market, particularly offshore wind, marking the next strategic evolution for the subsea services powerhouse.