Corporate Finance

We provide a range of corporate finance services to privately owned businesses.

We provide you with director level advice and support. Working closely with other relevant areas including corporate tax, accountancy, private client and business advisory specialists, we ensure that at all times the advice we give encompasses all your needs.

Our service disciplines include:

• Mergers & acquisitions
• Management Buy-Outs/Ins
• Fundraising
• Disposals
• Valuations
• Meet the team
• Articles and publications

Management Buy-Outs/Ins

Management buy-out (MBO) and management buy-ins (MBIs) are complex yet exciting transactions and need professional project management to ensure that the transaction is completed smoothly, without any negative effect on the business.

For an exiting owner, an MBO will offer an attractive succession plan as there will be continuity of management and no requirement to disclose confidential information to outside parties.  MBO is an attractive option for businesses with retiring owners, a track record of profitability and a strong, motivated management team with a clear vision for the future direction for the business.

A MBI is similar to an MBO, but the management team is external to the business. The risks are different, as MBI teams will not have the same detailed knowledge of the business as an MBO team, but the latter could potentially have gained sector experience and could therefore identify the potential a business has to generate good returns to its shareholders.

We can assist you with each stage of the process, offering sound commercial advice and support, enabling you to remain focused on running the business.

Our services include:

• Assessing the viability of the proposition
• Valuation of the business to be acquired, deal structure and tax planning
• Preparing a business plan and financial projections
• Structuring the business
• Raising capital
• Negotiations with vendors and financial backers
• Project management of the transaction throughout

Mergers & Acquisitions

Growth by acquisition can be a faster route than more general organic growth and can provide opportunities for business diversification.

Acquisitions are, however, not without challenges. Many fail to live up to expectations due to poor strategic fit, lack of an integration plan or failure to identify potential problems with the quality of earnings.

We can help you to decide if growth by acquisition is the best route for your business and work with you to overcome any potential obstacles.

Our services include:

• Developing an acquisition strategy
• Identifying suitable targets
• Assessment of targets and pricing
• Funding and capital raising
• Advising on alternative deal structures from tax and commercial aspects
• Approaching vendors to open negotiations
• Negotiating with the vendor
• Due diligence
• Implementation of post-acquisition plan

Fundraising

Whether you need to raise finance for a new business or the expansion of an existing one, we can help you to find the right type of capital for the right price.

Drawing on a wide range of skills and expertise, our team will work with you to determine what mix of debt or equity funding to take on and the effect on your business and your cash flow.

We enjoy strong relationships with key providers of finance including specialist finance teams within the major banks who provide leverage, asset finance and working capital funding. We also have in-depth relationships with private equity investors – institutional private equity, as well as high net worth groups.

Our services include:

• Preparation of a business plan and financial forecasts
• Define a debt and equity structure appropriate to your circumstances
• Identifying and negotiating the most suitable funding
• Preparing and presenting proposals to financiers to help you obtain funds on the most beneficial terms

Due diligence

The early identification of areas of concern and risk, together with recommendations and advice is an essential part of the service we provide. We have a thoughtful, discreet and bespoke approach to all assignments. We will report to you with the key information you require to make the right investment decision for your business.
Our comprehensive due diligence approach is designed to add value to the transaction by providing a thorough understanding of the:

• Business drivers and market drivers
• Employee benefits
• Industry appraisal
• Tax and commercial reputation.
• Historical and current performance, including its Key Performance Indicators
• Quality of underlying earnings
• Cash generation
• Robustness of the financial projections and how they compare to historical and current results

Tax planning

Almost all commercial transactions that involve acquiring, divesting or restructuring assets have a significant tax implication. We work closely with our tax team to develop and structure efficient tax solutions, no matter how complex the deal.

Disposals

Deciding to sell your business is one of the biggest and most daunting decisions you will make.

We can help maximise the value in your business and unlock its potential. By managing the disposal from start to completion, we demystify the process and leave you free to continue running your business during this crucial time.

Our services include:

• Grooming the business for sale
• Developing a strategy for marketing the business
• Researching and identifying potential buyers
• Preparation and distribution of an Information Memorandum to present the opportunities your business could offer a potential acquirer
• Agreeing terms of confidentiality with interested parties to protect your interests
• Negotiation
• Advising on the due diligence process
• Project managing the transaction
• Developing an exit strategy tailored to suit your needs
• Providing you with taxation and financial planning advice through our specialist teams

Valuations

Before you can attract investment from private or public sources, or before a company can be sold or acquired, it may often be necessary to consider the business valuation.

Business valuation is more an art than a science and getting it right requires expertise and experience. We analyse the complex factors that can affect the value of a business, drawing upon expertise across the firm, to produce a fair valuation of your business.

Our valuations process adopts an appropriate valuation basis and focuses in understanding the business: its key drivers, its potential to generate cash, its historical and current performance, its market position and external environment.

Business Advisory Services

• Business Valuations
• Financial Modelling
• Debt Advisory
• Strategic Advice
• Business Planning
• Project Appraisals

Hakim Fry is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities.