Corporate Finance

Due diligence

We advise both funders and acquirers on financial and taxation due diligence. Our tailored approach to scope out this work ensures that you can cost effectively manage the potential risks inherent in any acquisition or lending assignment.

The key elements of our work are:

• Identification of key and inherent risk areas for the nature of the business, its market and proposed funding structure
• Agreement of the tailored scope with each client ensuring an appropriate focus and consideration of cost efficiency
• Consideration and detailed review of target with regular progress updates to ensure issues are highlighted and addressed in a timely manner
• Preparation of concise and focused reports of both outlining our findings and recommendations

Share valuations 

Whether you are contemplating retirement (through sale or succession), or want to consider the sale of your business entirely, our team will work with you to achieve a commercial and achievable share valuation.

The key elements of our work are:

• Identification of the key goals and important outcomes for the project
• Thought on the impact of the reporting format and target market
• Consideration of the key impacting factors on the share valuation and the impacts these have on the valuation
• Preparation of concise and focused reports of both outlining our findings and recommendations

Raising finance, business planning and forecasting 

We understand the importance of planning a project to deliver the right, sustainable result. Our team of experts in the arena of business planning and forecasting are well respected across the finance market meaning we have access to many channels of raising funds.

Typically, our work on fundraising engagements has the following components:

• Review and consideration of the current funding structure including its appropriateness both now and in the future
• Advise on an optimum funding structure for the business with appropriate consideration of the likely channels available
• Identification of potential funders
• Preparation of business plans and projections to present to potential funders
• Negotiate with funders to secure the most suitable and cost effective funding structure

Management buy outs/buy ins 

Business continuity is important and often the best succession planning comes from within. With significant experience advising on MBO/MBIs, recognising the particular issues of a transaction, we can tailor our role to give appropriate support to ensure a successful outcome and also allow maintenance of focus upon running the business.

Typically our work with MBOs/MBIs involves:

• Assessment of the viability of the proposed transaction including advising management, if desired, on the valuation basis
• Consideration of the tax impacts of the transaction structure
• Prepare a business plan and associated financial modelling to successfully present the opportunity to funders
• Identify, contact and liaise with funders
• Lead and assist with negotiations and structure of both the funding package and the legal requirements
• Project management of the process and liaison with managements’ other advisers

Company acquisitions 

Acting as your adviser our main purpose is to realise the best arrangement for you.

We understand that each deal is different and what makes the best deal structure is not necessarily a sole focus on the price. How the value is received, timeframe, succession planning and deferred considerations all need to be factored in to any arrangement. 

The key elements of our work are:

• Challenge the vendors’ thought process and work with them to define the appropriate acquisition criteria
• Structure and negotiate a deal
• Lead and assist with negotiations and structure of both the funding package and the legal requirements
• Project management of both the process and your other advisers to completion

Company sales 

We act as your lead adviser in the sale process; managing it from start to finish to ensure the optimum deal (structure and value). This also ensures that you are not distracted from the main task of running your business.

The key elements of our work are:

• Work with you to carry out a strategic review of the business, the market position and expectations
• Prepare our summary report outlining the opportunity presented by your business
• Liaise with experts in the market place to research, identify and approach potential buyers in a confidential manner
• Lead negotiations to maximise value
• Project manage the work of all advisers in the process such as solicitors and the vendor’s advisers
• Co-ordinate our in-house tax and financial planning expertise to ensure the best solution is achieve for the structure of the deal

Meet our service specialists