Corporate Finance
Whether owners are looking to create, grow or extract shareholder value, having advisors who are skilled in both business strategy and corporate finance to help them maximise shareholder value and navigate the complexities of the deal making process, is key to achieving the best financial outcome.
Supporting entrepreneurial drive
We provide commercially focussed corporate finance support to an extensive portfolio of ambitious and fast-growing clients to support national and international expansion plans and maximise shareholder value. From start-ups and established businesses to international groups, our clients are tirelessly entrepreneurial, spanning well-known restaurants, music, entertainment, luxury retail, advertising and marketing, along with a range of other industries.
From high growth financial strategies and M&A planning through to lead advisory work, transaction management and post-deal integration, we have over 30 years’ industry expertise, guiding clients through all stages of the transaction process and delivering high quality due diligence support to legal and deal advisory teams. Our varied work covers multiple high value UK and overseas transactions, including acting as lead advisors on UK acquisitions for international groups and multi-million-pound refinancing and private equity transactions, as well as industry pioneering stock market floatations.
Clients benefit from our substantial experience and quality network of trusted corporate finance contacts, ranging from wealthy investors and peer-to-peer lenders to banks, venture capitalists and private equity firms. The stature of our corporate deals is testament to this and to the entrepreneurial drive of our clients. We’ve watched many client businesses develop from initial start-up, through managed growth and acquisition, to become highly profitable brands and global groups. We invest in our client relationships for a long time and it’s incredibly rewarding for us to see them grow and succeed.
Areas we cover:
- Business growth strategy
- M&A, MBO and MBI
- UK & cross-border mergers
- Deal structuring
- Corporate restructuring
- Company Valuations
- Financial and tax due diligence
- Debt raising/refinancing
- Post-transaction integration
Maximising shareholder value
Astutely planned acquisitions
Whether it’s strategic advice around succession planning, executing growth plans, reviewing deal proposals, skilled negotiation, or navigating a complex deal-making process, our high-level attention to detail, robust quality assurance, and forward-thinking approach ensures that all financial aspects have been considered. This includes reviewing the varying tax implications resulting from different company changes, including the impact on the personal tax position of owners, Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs’ relief), wealth structuring, Inheritance Tax, and other considerations.
We have particular expertise in UK and cross-border mergers, acquisitions and company sales, financial and tax due diligence, deal and business structuring, fundraising and stock market flotations, as well as financial systems and business process integration, post-deal. For wider corporate finance support, we work with a trusted UK and international network of skilled corporate finance lawyers and overseas deal specialists, so we can shape teams to suit each clients’ individual requirements.
Outside corporate finance, we are always thinking of ways in which we can support our clients with their expansion plans. Whether it’s using our real estate contacts to find business premises or putting together staff relocation packages, or offering additional accounting and tax compliance support, our focus is on freeing up our clients’ time for running their businesses.
Post-deal, we can help guide clients and their subsidiaries through the next phase in their development. Working as part of their executive teams or working closely with their in-house accounts department, we advise clients across all financial aspects of their businesses and support them with both day-to-day accounting and strategic board level issues.
We work to suit each client’s structure, culture and particular priorities, attending board meetings, AGMs, and other key stakeholder meetings, acting as a sounding board for high level decision making and taking a leading role, where needed.
I remember sitting with one new client on floorboards in New York thirty years ago and talking about whether they should take larger offices, as space for four was no longer sufficient. They sold their business for a nine-figure sum. A great journey!
Marc Voulters | Partner & Executive Chairman
