John Farnsworth

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 buyouts, 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 that 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 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.

While 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 and beverage, franchise, and QSR sectors. That said, our deal management principles and fastidious methodology are 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 its CF (corporate finance) qualification, which is 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 four’ 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. While remaining a sector generalist, I have specific expertise in the food and beverage sector, and especially in fast-food franchises (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 (which is just as well, because my home is a long-term restoration project!).