NCP

In September 2005 3i and funds completed the £555 million buyout of NCP, the UK's leading parking services and traffic management company.

With over 800 sites and more than 5,000 employees, NCP provides services ranging from city centre car park management and airport parking through to providing outsourced traffic management services for local and central government.

3i's knowledge of the business and relationship with the management team were critical in enabling it to win the auction process for this secondary buyout.

Long-term growth in car usage and increased local authority outsourcing are key drivers of NCP's growth. NCP's brand, synonymous with parking in the UK, reinforces the credibility of the business in winning contracts and aids diversification into new services.

3i has utilised its sector experience in support services and outsourcing - through investments in companies such as Keolis - to work closely with NCP. 3i also identified Mike Jeffries, former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of WS Atkins, as Chairman for NCP.

NCP has a very high success rate in winning new contracts and, since the buyout, has been awarded all the major contracts it has tendered for. Revenue for the year ending December 2005 was £439 million.