Adding value
Our success is based on specialist corporate finance teams who focus on adding value for you in each of the critical areas of a management buy-out (MBO); developing your business strategy, dealing with the current owner, securing financial support and managing the transaction to a successful conclusion. Our teams are supported by specialists in other disciplines, such as taxation, providing an integrated approach to all aspects of the MBO.

Developing your business strategy
Successful MBOs are founded on clear business strategies aimed at producing real growth in value. We will obtain a fundamental understanding of the dynamics of your business and its marketplace and how this could impact on its future development and use this to challenge and contribute to the development of an effective strategy for your business.

Dealing with the current owner
Approaching the organisation you currently work for with the concept of an MBO requires tact, while achieving the best deal is likely to involve the negotiation of contentious issues. Our involvement as experienced and leading financial advisers will enable these difficult areas to be handled effectively without the risks to personal relationships, which may otherwise arise.

Securing financial support
It is critical that the methods used to finance the MBO are driven by your business strategy - not vice versa. Using our knowledge of both your strategy and the financial market place we will develop an appropriate financial structure and approach those active institutions best suited to your situation. Our experience of current market trends and of negotiations with financial institutions will enable us to obtain the right deal for you and your business.

Managing the transaction
The vendor and financiers will share your desire to see the MBO go ahead, but will have their own differing objectives and timetables. They will each have their own advisers, particularly legal, resulting in a significant number of parties involved in the transaction. Actively managing the transaction to drive it forward, we will help to overcome obstacles as they arise and allow you to focus on running the business, which after all, we want you to buy in the best shape. Our experience, tenacity and creative approach to problem solving can make the difference between success and failure.

Investigating the risk
Having agreed the terms of the deal and secured the financial support, your financiers will want to understand the business before committing their funds. We will assist you and your financiers in focusing the due diligence process on key areas and bring our financial investigation skills to bear as part of that process.

After the deal
Grant Thornton are leading financial and business advisers. We specialise in helping entrepreneurial businesses succeed. Having assisted you to become an owner-manager we will be keen to work with you to ensure you achieve your ambitions.