Our services can be segmented into three distinct phases, although the second phase relating to business grooming may not be relevant to every client depending upon the agreed exit strategy outcome [i.e. if one concludes an immediate sale process should be commenced then the grooming phase will be largely irrelevant].

Exit strategy development - Phase 1

We secure through a series of confidential meetings with our client and from analysis of company specific information and then competitor and market specific information a thorough understanding of the key issues impacting upon the timing of the business sale. We will recommend an exit strategy that will have the highest probability of delivering to our clients their desired outcome. No matter what timing is eventually agreed upon we will use our expertise to optimise our clients’ financial gain.

Business grooming - Phase 2

Often clients will seek our services and for whatever reason need or wish to commence the sale process without delay. However, in an ideal scenario, the process would be “managed” a number or months or even a number of years prior to the commencement of the business sale process.

This pre sale process is referred to as ‘business grooming’ and is primarily focused upon:

• Identification of characteristics within the business that might thwart a future business sale or which would reduce the value eventually received at the point of sale completion.
• Developing an action plan that results in any potential problems for a future buying being eradicated or at least reduced.
• Taking positive actions to enhance the asset base of the business.
• Taking positive steps to generate greater pre tax profits and longer term “maintainable earnings”

The benefits are self evident as by having sufficient time to plan, identify issues that require focus and then time to implement the business improvement and grooming process, the eventual sale of the business should be achieved more expeditiously and at a higher value than would have been the case without the ‘business grooming’ phase.

Selling for optimal value- phase 3

We have advised more than 90 business owners across many diverse business activities and secured buyers from the UK and internationally [see sample of businesses sold]. We know that our business sale service delivers exceptional results for our clients.

Our business sale process takes place within a proven sales methodology that maximises client confidentiality and ensures that no information is ever distributed to a potential bidder without the prior approval and agreement of our client.

The business sale process is complex and time consuming and without our dedicated specialist services has inherent dangers for the non specialist which could destroy the value which may have taken many years to create. You only want to sell your business once, so appointing a specialist adviser, and ideally Moorfields Corporate Finance, will ensure your greatest chance of success.

Over a period which could last six to nine months we will:

• Agree a sale strategy with you [see exit strategy development phase 1 above].
• Undertake research into potential buyers, both within the UK and on an international basis, including potential trade acquirers and non trade buyers such as Venture Capital and Private Equity funds.
• Produce on your behalf an Information Memorandum, which is the document that forms the basis for the receipt of initial offers from buyers. This document contains financial and non financial information. All information within the document [which can typically range from between 20 and 50+pages] will be reviewed and agreed by you as being a fair representation of your business prior to it being sent to potential buyers.
• We will then market your business to an agreed short list of potential buyers [remember confidentiality is essential], initially the marketing is undertaken on a “no names” basis through a brief one page “teaser”. Every recipient of your Information Memorandum will have had to have signed our Confidentiality Letter which will protect you from financial loss if the recipient breaches their confidentiality undertakings.
• We manage the receipt of offers, the various stages of the due diligence process, a data room phase if required, and ensure that every offer received is discussed with you and the pros and cons of every offer are explained to you.
• We then negotiate on your behalf, with your involvement at every stage that you wish to be involved, the final bid [or ideally bids], then after consultation and agreement with you [and your other advisers as appropriate such as you lawyers and your tax advisers] we will proceed to the signed ‘Heads of Terms’ stage.
• Now, moving to the final phase, but one which is highly complex and can take anywhere between several weeks and several months, we manage the sale process and interaction with your other professional advisers and the buyers and their advisers through to Completion of the business sale.