Mergers and acquisitions activity is at record levels and the number of Midlands deals in the first nine months of 2021 was 38 per cent higher than in the same period last year[1].
Corporates are looking to position themselves for post-pandemic recovery while private equity firms have substantial funds they need to invest.
If you own a successful, profitable business it is more likely than ever you will receive a letter, email, or phone call out of the blue with a seemingly attractive offer for your company.
But large corporates and private equity firms are skilled buyers of businesses. From experience they know that they can snap up a thriving enterprise for a significant discount to its true value by approaching unprepared business owners and avoiding a competitive sales process.
In contrast, those same private equity firms and corporates spend months or even years carefully preparing and positioning their investments to ensure they secure maximum value on a sale.
This results in a huge transfer of wealth from entrepreneurs and family businesses to financial investors and major corporations.
In order to ensure owner-managed businesses do not lose out in corporate deals, M&A experts from Burgis & Bullock have been running a series of workshops about company sales.
Drawing on the strategies and techniques used by large companies and professional investors, the workshops give directors and shareholders tips and insights on how best to plan and prepare for a sale of their business.
Simon Chapman, Mergers and Acquisitions Partner at Burgis & Bullock, said: “Some attendees at our workshops are actively preparing for a sale in the short-term, others have no immediate intention of selling but want to be ready just in case they receive an approach.
“For business owners that have spent 10, 20, or 30 years building up a successful business, half a day learning how to make sure they get the company’s true value on a sale is a great investment.”
The workshops are run jointly with corporate law firm The Wilkes Partnership and independent financial advisers, Margetts Wealth.
The next workshop is at 8.30am on the morning of Wednesday, November 3. To register for a place contact simon.chapman@burgisbullock.com
[1] 420 deals involving a Midlands target company reported for 1 January 2021 to 30 September 2021 compared with 305 deals for 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020, source: MarketIQ.
