Sale of a founder owned logistics group to a listed buyer

A second generation owner, two unsolicited bids, and a buyer that was not on the list.

2026

Service

Mergers and acquisitions

Led by

Eleanor Hart

Completed

March 2026

Sector

Logistics

Owner

Second generation

The result

What the owner got.

At completion,

March 2026

Note

Figure

EBITDA multiple achieved

1.1

11.4x

Months from mandate to completion

1.2

Bidders in the second round

1.3

Senior managers still with the business

1.4

6 of 6

Source: completion statement, March 2026. Shown with the client’s written permission. Past performance is not a guide to future results.

The work

What happened, in order.

The situation

The founder’s son had run the business for eleven years and wanted to step back. Two trade buyers had already called. Neither had seen the numbers, and both had a price in mind.

2.1

Owner

Second generation

Sector

Logistics

Team

140 people

Offices

UK and the Gulf

What we did

A readiness review in the first month found two issues a buyer would have priced: one customer at a third of revenue, and working capital that swung by season. Both were fixed or explained before the first approach.

2.2

What made the difference

A wider buyer list than the two who called. Four bidders reached the second round, and the listed buyer that won had not been on the owner’s list.

2.3

Nine months, mandate to completion.

A readiness review and valuation in months one and two, the buyer list and first approach from month two to four, offers and heads of terms from month four to six, and due diligence and completion from month six to nine.

2.4

“We sold once, at the right price, and the team is still there.”

Founder and former managing director, name withheld. Shown with written permission.

Who led it