Sydney’s Arriba Group, which provides workplace rehabilitation and NDIS services to the tune of $76 million a year, is ready to march down the M&A route.

Street Talk understands Arriba’s founder, Marcella Romero, has invited investment banks and boutiques to pitch their services in recent weeks. Sources said the immediate task at hand was to advise Romero on acquisition targets, but of course, bankers have their eyes on a bigger prize down the line – scoring a role on an eventual sale of the fast-growing business.

“M&A activity is part of the Arriba Group three-year growth strategy. We are in the process of selecting an advisory firm to assist us in this, but no appointment has been made at this time,” a spokesperson told Street Talk on Monday.

Romero, who founded the business 26 years ago and is the sole owner, has no plans to exit, the spokesperson said. But that’s unlikely to deter trade and private equity buyers which have had success investing in businesses servicing the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Profits in the sector have grown more than 29 per cent on average every year since 2018, while a fragmented market provides ample acquisition targets.

Navis Capital last year acquired a majority stake in Caring Group, which operates in-home care brands such as Home Caring, Premier Care and Dementia Caring. Fortitude Investment Partners took a controlling interest in Aged Care Decisions to fund the company’s entry into the NDIS, while Quadrant Private Equity has been marketing its $400 million myHomecare business to prospective acquirers.