Service 2.1
Mergers and acquisitions
We sell founder owned companies1 in six to twelve months2, with Eleanor Hart3 in every meeting. The last one closed at 11.4x EBITDA4.
Scope, fees and evidence
Services
Note
Notes
01 / 05
Service 2.2
Corporate finance
We raise equity and debt1 for growing companies in four to nine months2, led by Daniel Okafor3. The last refinancing came to £46m over seven years4.
Scope, fees and evidenceService 2.3
Due diligence
We tell buyers and lenders1 what they are really paying for, in three to eight weeks2, led by Priya Raman3, with a red flag report by day ten4.
Scope, fees and evidenceService 2.4
Outsourced CFO
We run the finance function1 of owner led companies every month2, led by Tom Whitcombe3, for one fixed monthly fee4.
Scope, fees and evidenceService 2.5
Strategy and performance
We find the margins a buyer will test1 and build a plan the board can track, in six to ten weeks2, led by Tom Whitcombe3, for a fixed fee per phase4.
Scope, fees and evidenceHover or tap an underlined term to read its note
2.1
Led by
Eleanor Hart
Timeline
6 to 12 months
Fees
Retainer and success fee
Record
11.4x EBITDA
Led by
Daniel Okafor
Timeline
4 to 9 months
Fees
Fixed fee and success fee
Record
£46m refinanced
Led by
Priya Raman
Timeline
3 to 8 weeks
Fees
Fixed fee per scope
Red flags
By day ten
Led by
Tom Whitcombe
Timeline
Monthly
Fees
Fixed monthly fee
Clients
22 on retainer
Led by
Tom Whitcombe
Timeline
6 to 10 weeks
Fees
Fixed fee per phase
Output
Operating plan
Note 2.1.1
Who it is for
Owners selling a company worth £10m to £250m, and boards buying one.
The problem it solves
One sale, one price, and no second attempt if the process is run badly.
Note 2.1.2
How long it takes
Six to twelve months, set by how quickly buyers move.
- Readiness and valuation
- Buyer approach
- Offers and heads of terms
- Completion
Month 1
Month 12
Note 2.1.3
Who leads it
Eleanor Hart
Managing PartnerSale mandates for founder owned companies
Note 2.1.4
Evidence
Completed March 2026
11.4x
EBITDA on the sale of a founder owned logistics group to a listed buyer, nine months from mandate to completion.
Read the case studyNote 2.2.1
Who it is for
Boards of private companies raising £5m to £75m of equity or debt.
The problem it solves
Capital to grow, without giving away control or signing terms you regret.
Note 2.2.2
How long it takes
Four to nine months, from options to first drawdown.
- Capital structure options
- Lender and investor shortlist
- Model, pack and questions
- Term sheets
- Drawdown
Month 1
Month 9
Note 2.2.3
Who leads it
Daniel Okafor
Partner, Corporate financeGrowth equity, debt and refinancing
Note 2.2.4
Evidence
Completed November 2025
£46m
refinanced for a boutique hotel group across three cities, with the term extended from three years to seven.
Read the case studyNote 2.3.1
Who it is for
Buyers, investors and lenders, and sellers who want no surprises first.
The problem it solves
Knowing what you are really paying for before you sign.
Note 2.3.2
How long it takes
Three to eight weeks, with the red flags first.
- Scope and data request
- Red flag report
- Quality of earnings
- Net debt and working capital
- Final report
Week 1
Week 8
Note 2.3.3
Who leads it
Priya Raman
Partner, Due diligenceQuality of earnings and buy side diligence
Note 2.3.4
Evidence
Buy side reviews, 2025
Day 10
24 buy side reviews in 2025, each with a red flag report by day ten.
Read the case studyNote 2.4.1
Who it is for
Owner led companies too large for a bookkeeper and not yet ready for a full time CFO.
The problem it solves
A board that decides on numbers nobody fully trusts.
Note 2.4.2
How long it takes
Every month, on the same working days.
- Month end close
- Management accounts
- Rolling cash forecast
- Board pack
- Board meeting
Working day 1
Working day 10
Note 2.4.3
Who leads it
Tom Whitcombe
Partner, Outsourced CFOBoard reporting, forecasts and operating plans
Note 2.4.4
How fees are set
A fixed monthly fee for an agreed number of days.
On retainer, 2025
22
On retainer, 2024
17
At 31 December each year.
Note 2.5.1
Who it is for
Owners preparing for a sale or a raise, two to three years out.
The problem it solves
Margins and growth that will not survive a buyer’s questions.
Note 2.5.2
How long it takes
Six to ten weeks, one phase at a time.
- Data and interviews
- Profit by product and customer
- Pricing review
- Operating plan and targets
Week 1
Week 10
Note 2.5.3
Who leads it
Tom Whitcombe
Partner, Outsourced CFOBoard reporting, forecasts and operating plans
Note 2.5.4
How fees are set
A fixed fee per phase, agreed in writing before work starts.
What is included
- Profit by product and customer
- Pricing review
- Operating plan and targets
- Monthly tracking pack
- Readiness review for a sale
2.1M&A
2.2Corporate finance
2.3Due diligence
2.4Outsourced CFO
2.5Strategy