Hello

I am a Director in the dedicated corporate finance division of Smith Cooper. I am a highly skilled corporate finance adviser with over ten years’ experience. I advise on many types of corporate finance transactions involving owner-managed and mid-corporate businesses in sectors such as fast food and healthcare. All my client work is in respect of corporate finance activities.

What can I do for your organisation?

I provide intensive management of corporate acquisitions, management buyouts, mergers and sales for mid-corporate and owner-managed businesses. Our aim is to optimise the transaction for the client and ensure it is at the best value and is swiftly and efficiently delivered, with minimum risk. Our deals generally range up to £50 million in deal size, and by allocating team members who specialise in a specific size-range and sector, we ensure clients get the best-possible service.

I also provide succession planning advice, help prepare businesses for sale, assist with business planning and fundraising, and can provide target search services for companies, private equity firms or individuals wanting to acquire.

Experience counts

I am a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and have recently been awarded the corporate finance (CF) qualification by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. The CF qualification is widely recognised as the global standard for the corporate finance industry.

In 2002 I qualified as a chartered certified accountant with a medium-sized, Midlands-based practice, where I gained a broad base of experience in the profession, including accounting, audit, taxation, due diligence and, most importantly, corporate finance deal management.

Since joining the dedicated corporate finance division of Smith Cooper in 2005, I have advised on numerous corporate finance transactions, including sales, MBOs/MBIs, refinancing and fundraising, as well as mergers and acquisitions involving owner-managed businesses and mid-corporate businesses.

Deeper knowledge

Specialist sectors

  • Civil engineering
  • Franchise
  • Food and beverage
  • Hospitality
  • Metal fabrication
  • Residential care homes
  • Retail
  • Wholesaling

I have experience of working with clients in a wide range of sectors, in particular fast food, healthcare, leisure, training, engineering, clothing, food, printing/packaging, transport and IT.

I have gained significant experience in the fast-food franchise area – predominantly internationally renowned brands such as KFC, Pizza Hut and Domino’s – having worked on many assignments, including company sales, acquisitions, bid proposals, business planning, fundraising and valuations, over a five-year period.

I also have a good knowledge of the care sector, especially in the areas of domiciliary care and high-dependency learning difficulty units, and have worked on a number of transactions involving government-funded training and welfare-to-work companies.

Personally speaking

Outside work I have an interest in motorsports (as a spectator rather than a participator). I spend time planning holiday adventures and then enjoy going on them. I like to attend live music events when I can, and I also enjoy outdoor activities including walking and cycling.

Following several months researching the best company to sell my business, I came in contact with John and David from Smith Cooper. Both of these Gents far exceeded my expectations and gave me exemplary service; they were both extremely professional, intelligent, and accurate with their support, were very proactive and always responded quickly to emails and telephone calls.

Robert Miller, Links Foods