Corporate Finance
Businesses cannot afford to stand still in today’s dynamic business environment, if they want to survive and prosper. Regardless of where you are in the life-cycle or what type of business you are, we will provide you with the specialist skills, practical experience, and objectivity to ensure that you achieve your objectives and create a successful and valuable corporate asset.

How we can help in your commercial concerns 
Whatever your needs, our experience and expertise in the following areas, could prove to be a determining factor in the success of your venture.

• Starting a new business venture

Starting a new venture can be both an exciting and confusing experience. What will be the most appropriate business structure for your start-up? How will you raise finance? YBSM Partners will give you the solutions to these questions and more.
Our experts will advise you on:

• the type of organization to best meet your needs
• business planning
• raising development capital
• accounts preparation, including VAT and PAYE

• Expanding your current business

Growth is vital to the forward thinking entrepreneur, but what is the best form of finance for your business needs? And how quickly should you grow? YBSM Partners are experienced at managing the growth of our clients and offering sensible advice.
We can assist with:

• raising development capital
• business planning
• introduction to sources of funding
• support in negotiations

Buying or selling a business needs to be based on solid judgment rather than just luck. We will offer independent advice on the merits and mechanics of an acquisition or disposal, and help search for a suitable business.
We offer the following services:

• due diligence
• valuations
• negotiating commercial agreements
• corporate structuring and taxation advice.
• Buying or selling a business

Corporate Finance: Acquisitions
Acquisitive growth by its very nature should run at a faster pace than organic growth and can provide an alternative route for diversification. It is not, however, without its potential difficulties. It is important that the implications of any growth plan are carefully considered. However, it is essential when carrying out an acquisition to have a clear post-acquisition strategy which addresses all of the appropriate action steps, milestones and most importantly apportions responsibility. It is no exaggeration to say that many acquisitions are seen as failures in the eyes of the acquirer!
A typical acquisition plan should include:

• The development of an acquisition strategy
  In effect the macro level strategic plan for the business. This will identify the key elements of the business as well as detailing the future direction.
• Identification of suitable target companies
  Expands the strategic plan into the practical deliverable of relevant targets and how they might fit into the group.
• Assessment of suitable targets and the likely transaction price
  Once targets are identified then negotiations will commence on the structure and viability of the transaction.
• Negotiation of the price and the transaction structure
  Most tense but key element of the transaction. In effect this stage leads to an exchange of contracts; the deal is struck subject to contract and due diligence. Usually the agreement will be summarised in a formal document; the Heads of Agreement.
• Due diligence and legal completion
  Due diligence is the verification of the key facts and figures on the target. This includes accounting verification and a legal audit. Assuming due diligence is satisfactorily completed, a sale and purchase agreement will then be issued and the detail of the contract is then negotiated between the parties.
• Implementation of the post-acquisition plan
  This includes the payroll, administration, sales tactics and accounting systems to name but a few general issues.

The development of the acquisition strategy should also identify the alternatives to acquisition growth, i.e. joint ventures, operating contracts, trading relationships, new product development and possibly minority stake investments in other businesses. Each of these alternatives offers benefits and assists businesses to grow.

Corporate Finance: Selling a business
In one sense, an outright disposal of a company’s share capital is the most straightforward option. Whether this suits the company or indeed the shareholders will depend upon many diverse factors, including:

• the company’s recent historic and forecast financial performance;
• the structure and breadth of the management (in addition to any owner shareholders);
• the existing and anticipated market for the company’s products or services;
• an analysis of the current market for acquisitions and disposals; and
• shareholder preferences and financial requirements in the short and medium-term.

Potential purchasers could emerge from a number of different sources, including direct competitors and also companies in related industries or sectors which may consider your products to offer the chance of a strategic bolt-on to their existing operations.