News

M&A advisor Bishopsgate Corporate Finance has achieved a record 2022/23 year in terms of number of deals, total deal value and fee income. The 10 completed transactions included successful sales to trade and private equity buyers, management buy-outs and acquisitions and covered a range of sectors, including technology & software, industrials and business services.

Highlights for the year include:
– 10 completed transactions
– £220m of deal value
– 8x sales to trade and/or private equity buyers
– 2x management buy outs and acquisitions
– 70% of sales to PE firms or PE backed buyers
– 60% of deals in Technology & Software space
– 4 new joiners
o Morgan Atherton, Managing Partner
o Darren Hagan, Manager
o Tirayo Obileye, Analyst
o Sophie Robotham, Business Development

Morgan Atherton, Managing Partner comments:

“These results are a testament to the strength and talent of the Bishopsgate team, our close relationships in the local market, deep sector specialisms and the quality of our clients’ respective businesses.

“Having invested significantly in the team and the business, we have an exciting pipeline of deals and are looking forward to another successful year from April, delivering high quality, expert M&A advice and delivering outstanding results for our clients.”

Bishopsgate Corporate Finance is a specialist corporate finance boutique founded in 1996 operating from offices in Stamford and London. Since its inception Bishopsgate has advised on over 200 deals with a combined value in excess of £2.5bn. Bishopsgate advises owner managers and entrepreneurs on Exits, Acquisitions, Management Buy-outs, Fundraisings and Private Equity Transactions combining significant international and sector specific expertise to deliver exceptional outcomes for its clients.

We are pleased to announce that Darren Hagan has joined the growing team at M&A advisor Bishopsgate Corporate Finance. Darren is an ACA qualified accountant and brings with him substantial financial experience.

He joins from Grant Thornton where he has spent the past four years working with successful businesses, from smaller owner-managed businesses to large and complex enterprises based in Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas. He covered a variety of sectors and recent clients include well known British manufacturing brands and up and coming cyber security firms.

Morgan Atherton, Managing Partner comments:
“Darren’s skills in accounting, project and client management and his all-round business acumen are impressive and we are delighted to be welcoming him to the team. He joins at an exciting time for Bishopsgate Corporate Finance, having doubled the size of the team and about to close out a record year in terms of number of deals, total deal value and fee income. Darren’s experience and energy complements the team perfectly and will help us to maintain our growth trajectory and continue to ensure our clients receive high quality, expert advice and achieve outstanding outcomes.”

Darren Hagan comments:
“Bishopsgate Corporate Finance is renowned in the industry for providing specialist and tailored M&A advice to businesses and for delivering excellent results for shareholders. I am incredibly excited to be part of such a successful and experienced team and look forward to contributing to its continued success going forward.”

Bishopsgate Corporate Finance is a specialist corporate finance boutique founded in 1996 operating from offices in London and Stamford. Since its inception Bishopsgate has advised on over 200 deals with a combined value in excess of £2.5bn. Bishopsgate advises owner managers and entrepreneurs on Exits, Acquisitions, Management Buy-outs, Fundraisings and Private Equity Transactions combining significant international and sector specific expertise to deliver exceptional outcomes for its clients.

After a record-breaking year Bishopsgate Corporate Finance is delighted to announce the recruitment of Morgan Atherton as Managing Partner.

Morgan is an accomplished corporate finance professional and dealmaker, bringing over 25 years of international M&A and Private Equity experience to the Bishopsgate team. He began his career at Arthur Andersen before moving to NatWest Specialised Finance and then to KPMG in a senior position. He spent 10 years at KPMG working on a large number of international and private equity mandates, a selection of which are highlighted below:

• Advised HBOS on the £44m MBO of Sunseeker, a £240m revenue luxury yacht manufacturer.
• Advised LDC on the MBO of Vision Security Group, a £90m revenue guarding business.
• Advised the owners of a digital insurance distribution business on its £30m sale to a US trade buyer.
• Advised the shareholders (management and NBGI PE) on the £49m sale of Nationwide Autocentres to Phoenix Equity Partners.

After a successful career at KPMG, Morgan then moved in-house as CFO of Dimensions Clothing, the UK’s leading supplier of uniforms and workwear. During his time with Dimensions, he oversaw significant international growth and led numerous acquisitions and strategic projects, most recently the £50m MBO supported by LDC in 2019.

Simon Stephenson comments: “Morgan brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience as both an advisor and also as a principal during his time at Dimensions. We believe this unique blend of experience will be invaluable to our clients, and he is a great addition to the team. We are excited about the opportunities that Morgan’s appointment will create as we look to build on significant growth achieved in recent years. Morgan has joined the team as Managing Partner which signals our intent to continue to grow and service our client base. He will be followed by two further appointments who will join the business in August and September taking the dealmaking team to 10. This investment in the team follows significant investment in both our technology infrastructure and our balance sheet to ensure we are well placed for the future to continue to provide premium advisory services to the UK’s business community.”

Morgan Atherton comments: “I am delighted and incredibly excited to be joining the Bishopsgate team during a transformational period of growth for the business. I have known Bishopsgate for many years and have been hugely impressed by its success and the achievements of the team. I am looking forward to applying my knowledge and experience to help both the team build on its strong foundations and, most importantly, our clients realise their strategic goals and ambitions.”

Bishopsgate Corporate Finance is a specialist corporate finance boutique founded in 1996 operating from offices in London and Stamford. Since its inception Bishopsgate has advised on over 200 deals with a combined value in excess of £1.5bn. Bishopsgate specialises in advising owner managers and entrepreneurs on Exits, Acquisitions, Management Buy-outs, Fundraisings and Private Equity Transactions combining significant international and sector specific expertise to deliver exceptional outcomes for its clients. Notable recent transactions include:

• The sale of Bowman Stores to listed US business Americold for £74m
• The cross-border sale of £9m turnover EDI software business Data Interchange to US based Epicor
• The sale of £20m turnover gaming technology business Fanatical to TPG backed business Fandom Inc

Bishopsgate is an award winning team and one of the longest established merger and acquisitions advisory firms in the UK with offices in Stamford and London.

We focus on delivering transactions from £5m to over £100m in value, advising entrepreneurs on either the sale of their business, private equity investment, management buy-outs or acquisitions for corporate entities and private equity houses.

We’re a dynamic, fast moving and growing team and are looking for a motivated and passionate individual to join our team for a year long placement

What’s in it for you?

Your work will be varied and involved. You will work alongside the team to identify and target the key stakeholders in UK owner managed businesses, assist with marketing and strategic material and also in financial analysis and valuation support. You will work on several varied projects and will lead detailed market research into a certain sector of your interest. The role will provide an invaluable introduction to the industry.

Day to day responsibilities will include:

• Supporting various marketing initiatives, such as research, production and publication of sector reports to send to potential new clients.
• Financial and Commercial analysis of a wide range of companies
• Assisting in the production of pitch documents.
• Supporting the marketing function of the business
• Production of market research reports
• Providing support on transactions.

Requirements:

• A demonstrable interest in business.
• A tenacious and “can do” attitude
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to engage commercially with potential clients.
• Marketing experience, gained through practical or academic experience, would be advantageous, as well as any practical experience in sales.
• We do not require finance, economics or business-related degrees.
• Accurate and organised, with impeccable writing skills. You will also be confident when dealing with numbers.
• You will be based at our Stamford office.

Contact James McBain Allan on jamesma@bishopsgatecf.co.uk to apply.

Bishopsgate is an award winning team and one of the longest established merger and acquisitions advisory firms in the UK with offices in the Stamford and London.

We focus on delivering transactions from £5m to over £100m in value, advising entrepreneurs on either the sale of their business, private equity investment, management buy-outs or acquisitions for corporate entities and private equity houses.

We’re a dynamic, fast moving and growing team and are looking for a motivated and passionate individual to join our team.

What’s in it for you?

You will be offered a highly competitive salary, professional qualifications support, study leave and exam costs. We have a culture of inclusivity and reward and therefore you will receive an excellent discretionary bonus package. There will be an ability to have significant career progression and exposure to Transactions and clients from day one.

Day to day responsibilities will include:

• Preparation of reports including Information Memorandum and Business Plans.
• Supporting team members and gaining exposure to the transaction process.
• Advising on transaction structures and key elements of deal negotiation, including legal and other key M&A documents.
• Providing consultancy advice to clients to help them prepare the business for exit and build value in the period in the lead up to a wealth crystallisation event.
• Support in sector research through publishing research reports, pitching for new clients, organising and being involved in company events.

Essential Requirements:

• Demonstrable interest in business and finance.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to engage commercially with clients.
• Project and client management skills.
• We do not require finance, economics or business-related degrees.
• Accurate and organised, with impeccable numeracy/writing skills.
• You will be based at our Stamford office.

If you think the above job is for you, please send your CV to James McBain Allan (jamesma@bishopsgatecf.co.uk) or send James a LinkedIn Message