Hello…

I’m one of Smith Cooper’s equity partners and head the dedicated Corporate Finance division that’s represented in our Derby, Nottingham and Birmingham offices. I have been a Corporate Finance specialist for over 20 years and am responsible for proactive creation of deals and advising corporate and owner-managed business clients and funders on all forms of transactions, in a wide range of sectors.

What can I do for your organisation?

I provide intensive management of corporate acquisitions, management buy-outs, mergers and sales for mid-corporate and owner-managed businesses. Our aim is to really understand the aspirations of the clients we work for; that way we can create innovative tailor-made solutions which optimise the transaction for the client, ensure it is at the best value, swiftly and efficiently delivered, and with minimum risk. Our deals generally range up to £50m 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 and help in preparing businesses for sale;
  • assistance with business planning and fundraising;
  • target-search services for acquisitive companies, private equity firms and individuals;
  • commercial diligence in the food and beverage sector to funders, investors and clients.

Whilst sector-agnostic, having worked in many sectors (including the leisure, wholesale/retail, child nurseries, care, and engineering sectors) I have particular specialisms in the food & beverage, franchise and QSR sectors. That said, our deal management principles and fastidious methodology is easily applied to all sectors and so I transact deals in all sectors.

Experience counts

I am a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and hold the CF (corporate finance) qualification of the Institute, a qualification widely recognised as the global standard for corporate financiers.

I qualified with a small firm in 1982 before moving to KPMG shortly after qualifying. In 1993 I took a position in the newly-formed Corporate Finance unit in the Nottingham office of KPMG, working for a wide range of clients including corporates, local authorities and individuals.

I left KPMG to join Smith Cooper in 1999 and have since continued to service the mid-corporate and owner-managed business sectors that have been largely neglected by the ‘big 4’ accountancy firms.

Deeper knowledge

I have experience in a wide range of sectors including, food and drink (manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing), franchising, leisure, retail/wholesale, child nurseries, pharmacies, engineering (aero, nuclear, rail, heavy, other), print/packaging and outsourcing. Whilst remaining a sector generalist, I have specific expertise in the food & beverage sector, and especially in fast food franchise (dealing mainly with International brands such as KFC, Costa, Domino’s, Pizza Hut and the like) where I have advised on over 60 assignments (nationally and internationally) for franchisees, franchisors, banks, and private equity investors.

Personally speaking

I am married with four children. I am a keen mountain biker and occasional recreational skier. I enjoy watching motorsports, my favourite being Moto GP bike racing.

I like cars and all things mechanical and have a passion for old buildings and DIY (just as well because my home is a long-term restoration project!).

 

I’ve known John and David of Smith Cooper Corporate Finance for years and, being well-known for their expertise in this field, appointing them to this important transaction was a natural choice. They were professional, showed dogged determination to achieve our objective, and were good fun to work with. I doubt we would have achieved the deal without them on our team and have no hesitation in recommending them.

Diljit Brar, Goldex Investments