Realise The Power of Private Equity and Alternative Investment

REALISE THE POWER OF PRIVATE EQUITY AND ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT SUCCESSION, GROWTH AND EXIT PLANNING FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS

HOW CAN PRIVATE EQUITY AND ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT OPTIONS BENEFIT YOU?

These investment options are a terrific opportunity which can collectively offer company shareholders the ability to:

+ + + + + +

Phase your exit from the company Dilute equity and cash out

Ensure succession planning through an investment-backed buy-out Create growth and scale to develop the company to new heights Provide long-term sustainable growth and security Realise your equity value through a capital event transaction

WHICH IS THE RIGHT OPTION BASED ON YOUR OBJECTIVES? Private equity (PE) firms have a particular appetite for companies with high-growth potential, or those that can be significantly improved through strategic changes, such as new market opportunities or better alignment and direction of current strategy to maximise growth potential. Transactions of this nature and a successful aligned strategy can often yield high value returns for both the investment fund, remaining equity holders and key management personnel within the business. “Private equity is a great option for shareholders in a business which has a lot of potential, but need a bit of help in getting the company to where they want it to be and want to derisk to an extent now,” explains Daniel Welsby, Head of Corporate Finance Outreach at KBS. “For a lot of business owners, the bulk of their wealth is in the business. To be able to tap into some of that wealth now, but still maintain the potential to achieve another slice of wealth in the future, is the real value of private equity. “It differs to a trade sale where, more often than not, you will be offered a price and that’s what you receive, whereas with private equity you can benefit from that forward potential as and when it happens.” KBS Corporate Finance possesses both the experience and direct contact with an extensive network of UK and international investment firms. As a lead adviser in any transaction, we will look to ensure the right fit and aligned growth objectives between the company shareholders and investment partners.

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WHY WOULD A PRIVATE EQUITY FUND WANT THE PREVIOUS OWNER TO STAY INVOLVED? PE firms and alternative investment funds like to have management with a vested interest in the company’s continued success. They want people who are invested and aligned with what the next phase of the journey is. Whatever the size of the shareholding you wish to retain, KBS has the ability to bring on board a PE fund whose model you can align with to collaboratively achieve a significant return on the monies reinvested into the new ownership structure. That does not necessarily mean the onus is on you to drive the growth plans, because the PE fund is sure to provide some input about how it envisions the company’s development and expansion. PE firms and institutional investors will often bring in new leadership on the financial side of the company to implement reporting so they have good visibility of where the business is going, to make sure it’s heading in the right direction. They tend to increase the professionalism of the business. Of course, it comes down to the dynamic and which personnel are needed in the business. If there is a good team in place already, they won’t be as involved - just providing a strategic overview, investment if needed or tapping into other companies in their network to grow it out. Some PE firms and alternative investment funds will parachute managers in to run it under their guidance, so it tends to be situational dependent.

You can rest assured that when a PE firm acquires a business, they will have a clear plan of where they see it going - and ultimately they need the management team to be aligned with that.

For a lot of business owners, the bulk of their wealth is in the business. To be able to tap into some of that wealth

now, but still maintain the potential to achieve another slice of wealth in the future, is

the real value of private equity.”

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PRIVATE EQUITY EXPLAINED

A private equity firm’s foundation is based on acquiring a company at one price and selling it at a point in time for a significantly higher value. PE offers an alternative investment for those seeking an absolute return.

Here, we explain how a fund is formed and how the cycle of the process, with the purpose of generating substantial growth, evolves:

It begins when the PE fund is established and undergoes a capital raise, tapping into a network which might typically consist of institutional investors, pension funds and high net worth individuals (HNWIs) to obtain commitment to invest. They will have a target of, for example, £100million and will endeavour to secure commitment up to and sometimes in excess of that target. The money is not sat upon. There will be legal agreements permitting the PE fund to invest within the parameters stated – size of company, industry sector - during the process of generating the funds. The fund is typically held for 10 years, encompassing a period of raising the funds, going to market to find acquisition opportunities, making the investments, typically holding those for around three to five years, and then divesting them.

IN 2023, GLOBAL HNWI WEALTH EXPANDED BY

4.7%

Source: CapGemini

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WHAT TYPE OF COMPANIES ARE PE FIRMS ATTRACTED BY?

Inevitably, businesses which display the potential for investors to multiply their outlay will hold the most appeal. They will want to see they can take the company’s valuation from A to B in a certain timeframe. PE and alternative investment funds will be looking at opportunities that move the financial dial and show strong industry margins. A lot of PE firms are sector agnostic and are simply looking for strong businesses.

So, what does a strong business look like away from the financial side? Well, it needs to have a good management team in place – not necessarily the shareholders but a strong ‘C suite’ which they can work with to take it to the next level – and a clear vision of where the company is headed, in a marketplace where growth is visible. That would stem from either the PE firm having their own knowledge of that sector, or the company itself having those plans. For instance, if you can say ‘we want to advance into a different geographical market by acquiring a certain business’, to a PE firm that is a positive because they need to see that pathway of growth.

SHARE OF PE DEAL VALUE BY SIZE BUCKET

100% 90% 80% 70% 60% 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0%

2021

2013

2017

2015

2014

2016

2019

2018

2022

2020

2023*

£2.5B+

£1B - £2.5B

£500M - £1B

£100M - £500M

£25M - £100M

<£25M

Source: Pitchbook

ARE THERE ANY EXTENDED BENEFITS FOR THE PE FIRM?

If they have existing investments within the same industry, most definitely.

Synergistic companies can benefit each other, whether that’s cross-selling to a client base or adding new lines to an existing product base.

You will commonly find synergies play a big part - PE and institutional investment firms commonly undertake a buy-and-build strategy because that is a way in which they can really maximize value. They are typically eager to buy a portfolio company with a strong client base and product lines and then acquire businesses which provide complementary products or services in different areas or for different clients.

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PRIVATE EQUITY EXPERIENCE YOU CAN TRUST

For over 25 years, KBS Corporate has compiled a rich history of securing investments for clients across a wide range of industry sectors.

We maintain relationships with more than 500 private equity firms throughout the world - who hold over 6,000 combined investments.

In our past two financial years, around 20% of all deals completed by KBS Corporate involved an investment acquirer.

ACQUIRED BY

ACQUIRED BY

EMMA PHILPOTT CEO, IASME

GARY SCHAFFER MD, SOCK ACADEMY

“Mughees at KBS did a fantastic job in guiding us through the sale process. He was extremely patient with my lack of knowledge about the process, was available 24/7 and represented our position really well. The shareholders were very happy with the overall deal he delivered and we could not recommend him highly enough.”

“From day one, Tom at KBS understood us as people, our love of our business and that it was the right time to exit. His understanding and appreciation that two ordinary people started a thing with a pound coin and a sheet of paper was inspirational. Tom worked hard to find a deal structure that benefited everyone involved.”

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ACQUIRED BY

“We have built a strong and scalable business model and Livingbridge is the ideal partner for the next stage of our journey.”

SCOTT BEHRENS MANAGING DIRECTOR, SUPERBIKE FACTORY

ACQUIRED BY

ACQUIRED BY

NEIL ROBSON FOUNDER AND CEO, STORETEC

MICK CAIRNS FOUNDER, BLACK & WHITE ENGINEERING

“We are excited to be partnering with Bridges at this critical stage of the business’s growth journey. We wanted an investor who understood our market, shared our values and had a strong track record of helping businesses like ours to harness their growth and impact potential. Bridges fitted the bill perfectly.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with Waterland and leveraging their track record of international growth and acquisition experience. We are looking forward to supercharging the momentum we have built, with Waterland acting as a hands-on partner which supports our vision and ambitions.”

ACQUIRED BY

ACQUIRED BY

MARK JOYNER DIRECTOR, RDS (R&D SPECIALISTS)

“The commitment and professionalism KBS put into the deal was key to getting it over the line. KBS brought numerous parties to the table and assessed the pros and cons of all offers received. Their knowledge and understanding of Ardenton’s model gave me great comfort in knowing we had found the right acquirer for the company.” DAVID FOX OWNER, PP CONTROL & AUTOMATION

“When we started to consider an investment partner, we’d had interest from trade buyers and private equity. Where BGF stood out was their long-term, collaborative approach and shared ambition for the business. We’ve rapidly grown in the past five years but with this investment we have the people, experience and capital to surpass all our previous goals.”

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ACQUIRED BY

ACQUIRED BY

LEE HEWINGS MANAGING DIRECTOR, NATIONWIDE SPECIALIST PROJECTS “I am excited about the immediate opportunities our partnership with TIS will bring, enabling us to offer our innovative smoke control services, expertise and knowledge to a much larger audience.”

JED DALTON CO-FOUNDER, TRINITATUM

“The whole KBS team were diligent and professional in all aspects of the transaction, understanding the complex nature of our business and finding for us, in Literacy Capital, an excellent partner to help us on the next stage of our journey.”

ACQUIRED BY

ACQUIRED BY

SIMON PEAT CEO, PROJECT BETTER ENERGY

KYLE GROCOTT MANAGING DIRECTOR, PHOENIX GAS HOLDINGS

“We are thrilled to be teaming up with Freshstream and look forward to working together as we continue our ambitious growth strategy. Their expertise and investment will enable us to further accelerate our expansion plans, both organically and through acquisitions.”

“KBS helped and advised our business throughout the process and listened to the type of buyers we were looking to bring on board. We successfully worked together to deliver on our objectives. Would highly recommend the team.”

“We are committed to providing world-class employee health and wellbeing benefits and this will allow us to further enhance our offering and continue to transform work cultures through impactful benefit programmes. “Thank you Julian and KBS for all your hard work and making sure we had a bulletproof agreement – we appreciate everything you have done for us.”

ACQUIRED BY

SIMON MOYLE CEO, VIVUP

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“George and Mughees of KBS took the time to understand our business thoroughly and worked diligently in finding the right invest ment partner that would allow Blaze to pros per under new ownership. They were on hand to assist us throughout the process, providing relevant knowhow and guidance on all trans action-related matters and we are thankful for their expert advice and support.”

ACQUIRED BY

BEN BRASSINGTON MANAGING DIRECTOR, BLAZE NETWORKS

ACQUIRED BY

ACQUIRED BY

ADAM WATSON MANAGING DIRECTOR, NEWGATE TECHNOLOGY

ANTON SCHWARZ CO-FOUNDER, LASER EXPERTISE

“Laser Expertise’s commitment to providing all our clients with the highest quality products, focusing on the design and manufacturing processes to ensure repeatable quality, is identical to Parklands Capital’s commitment to making acquisitions seamless. Many thanks to the team at KBS for their support.”

“We are delighted to join forces with Athera Healthcare. Their passion and dedication for continued digital and data-based innovation within healthcare matches our own. This partnership marks an exciting new chapter for both of us.”

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RECENT PE DEALS

Below is a selection of investments made into UK companies across a range of sectors.

TARGET COMPANY

TARGET SECTOR INVESTOR

DATE

Zellis Group

Business Services

Apax Partners

Aug-24

BP Pipelines TAP Ltd

Oil and Gas

Apollo Global Management

Dec-24

Evri Ltd

Distribution & Logistics

Apollo Global Management

Jul-24

OEG Energy Group Ltd

Energy

Apollo Global Management

Mar-25

AMR GP Ltd

Sport

Arctos Partners

Dec-23

Hipgnosis Songs Fund Ltd

Music

Blackstone Inc.

Jul-24

Alpha Financial Markets Consulting plc Financial Services

Bridgepoint Group

Aug-24

Civica UK Ltd

Software & IT

Blackstone Inc.

May-24

VUR Village Hotels Ltd

Leisure

Blackstone Inc.

Jun-24

Network International Holdings plc Financial Technology

Brookfield Asset Management

Sep-24

Myricx Bio

Medical & Pharmaceutical

British Patient Capital

Jul-24

Bank Renewables Ltd

Energy

Brookfield Asset Management

Dec-23

Monzo Bank

Financial Services

CapitalG

Mar-24

Kerridge Commercial Systems Ltd

Software & IT

CapVest Partners

Oct-23

Tritax EuroBox plc

Real Estate

Brookfield Asset Management

Feb-25

Ergomed Ltd

Medical & Pharmaceutical

Eden AcquisitionCo

Nov-23

Atlantica Sustainable Infrastructure plc Energy

California Buyer Ltd

Dec-24

Bute Energy

Energy

Feb-25

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Dechra Pharmaceuticals plc

Medical & Pharmaceutical

Freya Bidco

Jan-24

Perkbox

Software & IT

Great Hill Partners

Jul-24

M Group (Services) Ltd

Utilities

CVC Capital Partners

Dec-24

GreenScale Ltd

Data Centres

DTCP

Nov-24

CALA Group Ltd

Construction

Ferguson Bidco

Dec-24

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TARGET COMPANY

TARGET SECTOR INVESTOR

DATE

Arriva plc

Transport

I Squared Capital Advisors

Jun-24

Alliance Medical Group Ltd

Medical & Pharmaceutical

iCON Infrastructure Partners

Feb-24

Hargreaves Lansdown plc

Financial Services

Harp Bidco

Mar-25

Law Business Research Ltd

Information Services

Intermediate Capital Group

Apr-24

Pulmocide Ltd

Medical & Pharmaceutical

Jeito Capital

Dec-23

Zenobe Ltd

Energy

KKR & Co Inc.

Dec-23

Focus Group

Technology

Hg Capital

Dec-24

Steer Automotive Group

Automotive

Oakley Capital V

Apr-24

Kantar Media Ltd

Market Research

HIG Capital

Jan-25

Falko Regional Aircraft Ltd

Aviation

HPS Investment Partners

Dec-24

Value Retail plc

Retail

L Catterton

Sep-24

Charles Street Buildings Group

Real Estate

Lone Star Funds

Oct-24

All3Media International Ltd

Media

RedBird

May-24

The Restaurant Group

Leisure

Apollo Global Management

Dec-23

Audiotonix Ltd

Manufacturing

PAI Partners

Jul-24

Wayve Technologies Ltd

Software & IT

SoftBank Group

May-24

Balanced Commercial Property Trust Ltd Real Estate

Starwood Capital

Nov-24

Asda

Retail

TDR Capital

Nov-24

A-Gas International Ltd

Manufacturing

TPG Rise Climate

Dec-23

DNEG Group

Technology

United Al Saqer Group

Jul-24

CorpAcq Ltd

Financial Services

TDR Capital

Feb-25

Darktrace plc

Software & IT

Thoma Bravo

Oct-24

WGSN Ltd

Information Services

Apax Partners

Feb-24

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GLOBAL PRIVATE EQUITY NETWORK

Throughout more than a quarter of a century in operation, we have established relationships with private equity and alternative investment funds holding over 6,000 combined investments, many of which have been sourced through KBS Corporate. Benefiting from strong relationships with both UK and international PE funds, our bespoke database encompasses investors with interest in a multitude of global and emerging sectors.

Indeed, several PE firms have placed their first UK footprint with an investment facilitated by KBS, and have also opened bases in the North West of England as a direct result of working with us.

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OUR POWERFUL PRIVATE EQUITY CONNECTIONS

Ranked as the UK’s No 1 mid-market company sales adviser year after year (source: LSEG), trade deals account for the greater percentage numerically of the transactions we complete – and yet the reverse is emphatically true in regard to deal values. Around 75% of the transaction sums achieved by our corporate finance division result from private equity investment. “We add a large chunk of value to the private equity market,” says Daniel Welsby, Head of Corporate Finance Outreach at KBS Corporate. “It comes down to motivations, the company itself and how that could be marketed to PE,” adds Daniel. “We tend to have an idea of whether it will be a trade or a PE deal very early on because of those factors – what are the motivations and what are the characteristics of the business? We have such good reach that whatever the right route is, we will find it. We are confident and we have the ability and the network to get in front of the right PE houses, alternative investment funds and trade buyers.” HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN PRIVATE EQUITY IS A BETTER OPTION THAN A TRADE DEAL?

RECENT PRIVATE EQUITY SUCCESS STORIES

Company name: Project Better Energy

Sector: Renewable energy

Motivation for transaction: Substantial investment to enable continued organic growth and fulfil an array of exciting commercial opportunities.

Acquirer profile: A major private equity house with a particular focus on the UK and European markets, investing in organisations that demonstrate strong cultural values and contribute positively to society. Negotiation strategy: This was a fantastic opportunity to present to investors across the industry, especially due to the evolving regulations being implemented to which the company had adapted appropriately and cemented itself at the forefront of its sector. This helped us to close a collaborative deal.

Marketing strategy: We focused on the company’s evolution over the course of its history from a solar solutions specialist to a market leader in the UK’s green energy sector. Outcome: A partnership which meant the company could continue its ambitious growth strategy, with the PE firm’s expertise and investment enabling the acceleration of expansion plans, both organically and through acquisitions.

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Project name: James

Sector: Engineering

Motivation for transaction: To continue enhancing the company’s impressive track record and bolster its global expansion ambitions.

Acquirer profile: A European private equity house established for over 25 years and which has made more than 1,000 investments, choosing long-term partnerships that make companies intrinsically stronger and better. Negotiation strategy: The company required a full organisational restructure prior to the PE investment to ensure all value creation was protected within a group perimeter.

Marketing strategy: Clear and consistent presentation of detailed information was critical in the understanding of the company’s performance, highlighting its strong trajectory whilst detailing the interconnectivity of work undertaken between the group entities. Outcome: Major investment which enabled the company to broaden its support for customers across new geographies and through widening its engineering offering with new specialisms. The PE firm would leverage its network and expertise in acquisitions and international expansion to help the company reach the next level, supercharging its momentum by acting as a hands-on partner to support its vision and ambitions.

Collaboration across legal and financial advisers with a clear

common objective was enabled with transparent, frequent communication.

STRUCTURE BREAKDOWN

Day 1 value exceeded client expectation

FINAL DEAL £96M

Reduced shareholding retained with chance to grow the business Additional future value aligned to growth achieved by PE investment

Rolled portion of equity into minority shareholding in newco £86m – potential value of retained equity in 3 years

£96m

£64m

£67m consideration paid on Day 1

8 x multiple of EBITDA

EXPECTATION

VALUE OF DEAL

POTENTIAL

VALUE OF PRIVATE EQUITY

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HOW IS THE PRIVATE EQUITY MARKET PERFORMING?

Here are six key stats that highlight the positive recent trajectory of the PE market:

Global private equity dealmaking rebounded significantly in 2024 following two less productive years, rising by 14% to $2tn. This meant it was the third most active year on record for the asset class by value (source: McKinsey). In Q1 2025, global PE deal value surpassed first-quarter activity for each of the previous two years (source: Pitchbook). Add-on acquisitions accounted for 40% of private equity M&A deal value in 2024, the second highest ratio within the past decade.

In the UK, total deal value in the PE market is projected to reach $116bn in 2025, with an average transaction figure of $86m (source: Statista) . This indicates around 1,340 UK PE deals are likely to occur.

01

04

A total of 8,069 PE deals have taken place in the UK in the last five years – over 17% of all M&A transactions.

02

05

Over the last 10 years, the UK has recorded a 28.7% share of total deal value in the European private equity market (source: Pitchbook).

03

06

Dave Gardner, Corporate Finance Managing Director at KBS, explains:

PE AUM (£BN)

“There is still a lot of dry powder around following the Covid pandemic. Ultimately, investors want to make their money sweat and private equity is one of the avenues they will explore. “It’s not easy to get investment but the majority of people we speak to are over-subscribed when raising funds. The outlook in recent months has picked up – the trajectory is upward, investors are much more confident in the market and are willing to increase their activity and spend what they have available.”

£450 £400 £350 £300 £250 £200 £150 £100 £50 £0

£148

£105

£125

£129 £127

£104

£87 £82

£58 £61 £57

£148 £125

£104 £129 £127 £105

£58 £61 £57 £87 £82

2021

2013

2017

2015

2014

2016

2019

2018

2022

2020

2023*

DRY POWDER

REMAINING VALUE

Source: Pitchbook

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BENEFITS OF AN INVESTMENT-BACKED MBO

A Management Buyout (MBO) can allow owners to dilute or fully exit by providing investment to support the current management team, in additional to strategic or operational guidance. If the shareholders are not involved in the day-to-day running of the business, where private equity and alternative investment funds can assist is by providing the funding for the management team to buy the shares from the existing shareholders. This can be a win-win from a succession planning perspective. The shareholders cash out and are removed from the equation, while the management team obtain a shareholding, funded by the PE firm, and then work alongside the PE firm to take the business to the next level. In return for the funding, the management team run the company. That can lead to some very lucrative benefits for the shareholders when the private equity fund decides the time has come to ‘flip’ their investment, generally within the usual timeframe of three to five years. For example, KBS Corporate oversaw the sale of a company to an MBO backed by private equity. The PE firm acquired 72.5% of the company, absorbed the shares of the original holding company, created a new company, and the management team received 27.5% of the new company, owned together in unison. Within 16 months, a much shorter period than the usual timescale, the private equity firm had sold the company on – for 11 times the original outlay. This would have presented the management team with a choice: they could have rolled over their 27.5% shareholding, which would now be worth a much greater amount due to the growth they had generated, or have cashed out all, or a portion, of their shareholding.

One of the primary benefits of partnering with a private equity investment firm is the access to capital, which can be used for various purposes, including expansion.

Private equity partners will work closely with management teams to identify areas for improvement and develop strategies to enhance overall performance. This focus on operational efficiencies and enhancement can play a significant part in contributing to the growth journey and future capital value.

CONTACT US TO FIND OUT MORE:

0161 258 0818

s.daniels@kbscorporate.com

kbscorporate.com

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LONGER-TERM AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENT FUNDS

AN ALTERNATIVE TO TRADITIONAL PRIVATE EQUITY

In recent years, there has been a steady increase in the number of long-term investors active in the market, offering a credible alternative to business owners looking to exit their company. These investors acquire companies and hold them indefinitely. They become self-sufficient in that all cash generated from their business operations is re-invested into future acquisitions, which in turn increases the fund’s value over time. The longer-term vision of these investors can create a less pressured environment than private equity as there is no fixed timescale for the investor to make a return on their investment. Hence this investor type can suit more cyclical companies and sectors.

It is common for a portion of the exiting shareholders’ equity to be retained or rolled into a shareholding of the acquiring fund, which over time could increase

in value. Commonly, the aim of these groups is to ultimately go public on a stock exchange, to capitalise on the fund’s accumulated value following a period of acquisitions and business growth.

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Given the long-term nature of the investment strategy of these funds, they are considered a ‘safe pair of hands’ for companies that are sold into them, with cultural alignment being a focus for the acquiring fund. For shareholders keen to protect their company’s future and ensure its culture remains unchanged, long-term investors are an interesting option. Companies that are acquired usually remain de-centralised and operate as standalone entities, often with little involvement from the fund beyond centralised financial reporting. This gives the shareholders, who may stay with the company for a period of time, the opportunity to continue to grow the business. WHY WOULD A LONGER-TERM FUND BENEFIT A COMPANY OWNER?

Criteria for long-term investors:

+ +

Strong EBITDA margins – typically greater than 15% A track record of continuous, steady growth

+ Cash generative – cash profits are utilised to fund future acquisitions + Defendable positions within their sector, typically niche operators

WHICH LONG-TERM INVESTORS DO KBS WORK WITH?

Industrial groups from Scandinavia, particularly Sweden, have been notably active in the market over the last few years. Among those with which we have developed strong relationships are Storskogen, whose first UK acquisition we facilitated with the sale of S G S Engineering, and they returned to us when adding AC Electrical to their portfolio two years later in 2023. Even more prolific are Teqnion, whose acquisition of Merridale in February 2025 was their seventh through KBS within 21 months, following Stanwell Group, Surge Protection Devices, Nubis Solutions, Avelair, UK Lanyard Makers and Awarded 2U.

LONG-TERM CAPITAL FUNDS HIT A RECORD HIGH OF $350BILLION IN 2024

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OUR CORPORATE FINANCE EXPERTS

At KBS Corporate Finance, our team ensures every client receives a boutique, tailor-made service with a clear objective – to achieve the perfect outcome for you and your company. Our vast experience across the industry means we understand and appreciate what your business means to you. We work with only a select few clients at any one time, so your company becomes personal to us and we devote all our attention and commitment to fulfilling your specific goals. Our team are specialists in achieving the best possible deal values, putting into practice the expertise they have accumulated over decades working on trade and private equity transactions throughout the UK, Europe, the United States and Asia. The KBS Corporate Finance directors have personally built, sold, floated and secured investments into many businesses of their own and are fully skilled in lead advisory and transaction support – which means they are ideally qualified to guide you on your own journey. A dedicated, personal service with full project management comprises all of the key disciplines including accountancy, corporate finance, business management and marketing, which are vital elements throughout the project towards achieving the highest possible value for your company.

We know every transaction is personal and important, and can become challenging and emotional. That’s why we invest considerable time to understand every intricate detail of how your company operates with one aim in mind – to not only meet, but to exceed your objectives and expectations. This meticulous approach, which we bring to every deal, is proven to generate maximum value – that’s why we are the UK’s No.1 in our field (source: LSEG).

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CORPORATE FINANCE MANAGING DIRECTOR DAVE GARDNER

SALES DIRECTOR SIMON DANIELS

CORPORATE FINANCE DIRECTOR JOHN HUNT

CORPORATE FINANCE DIRECTOR JAY SINGH

CORPORATE FINANCE DIRECTOR MARK LUCAS

CORPORATE FINANCE DIRECTOR IAN BARTON

CORPORATE FINANCE DIRECTOR PHILIPPA ROBINSON

CORPORATE FINANCE DIRECTOR ADRIAN HOWELLS

HEAD OF CORPORATE FINANCE OUTREACH DANIEL WELSBY

CORPORATE FINANCE MANAGER MUGHEES SALEEM

CORPORATE FINANCE MANAGER ANNIE PRITCHARD

CORPORATE FINANCE MANAGER GEORGE DALTON

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ALTERNATIVES TO PRIVATE EQUITY

Private equity is just one of the strings to our bow – our corporate finance experts can advise you on the other available options for you to consider regarding the future of your business. Unlike most advisers, KBS Corporate offers a holistic TripleTrack approach which encompasses exploring all possible routes, providing the widest range of choices and opportunities in the drive towards delivering your optimum result. Our motto is “we look where others wouldn’t think to look”. Within the M&A market, we seek the best way forward for your company and offer the following TripleTrack alternative avenues to private equity:

TRADE ACQUISITIONS

ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT ROUTES

This typically incorporates buyers from equivalent or

We also believe in thinking outside the box by targeting additional buyer types, for example family offices and IPOs, along with other alternative investment vehicles. These could also include institutional investors such as pension funds, investment banks and mutual funds. With a database built from over 25 years of dealmaking and which is among the most comprehensive in the industry, we also have experience of Employee Ownership Trusts which offer significant tax breaks for the selling shareholder.

complementary sectors who will see the synergistic value of the opportunity. Our team, who are experienced in completing deals with trade acquirers in the UK, Europe and beyond, have access to well over 300 million companies worldwide and data on more than 1.7 million transactions in the global M&A market.

A trade acquirer would usually offer a full exit upon completion.

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GET IN TOUCH

We hope this brochure has increased your knowledge about the opportunities private equity funds and institutional investment can offer – and more importantly, how it could benefit you and your company in the future. Whether you are looking to secure resources for the next phase of business development, or thinking about your exit strategy, private equity funding can provide you with the flexibility and direction you need.

Our expert corporate finance advisers are ready to explore the options with you and find the right investor to help achieve your goals.

With hundreds of years of combined experience under their belt, our specialist team have the contacts, the knowledge, the technology and the requisite skillset to ensure everything is in place to deliver your ideal outcome.

You can arrange a confidential discussion regarding your company exit and private equity investment by contacting KBS Corporate via the following methods:

0161 258 0818

s.daniels@kbscorporate.com

kbscorporate.com

SIMON DANIELS SALES DIRECTOR

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KBS House 5 Springfield Court Summerfield Road Bolton BL3 2NT

0161 258 0818 s.daniels@kbscorporate.com

kbscorporate.com