As the exclusive UK member firm for the Terra Alliance international M&A network, Quercus Corporate Finance is pleased to announce that:
Particular sectors of interest in 2017 included Industrial Products & Services, Consumer Products & Services, Energy & Mineral Products and Infrastructure & Logistics.
Nick Standen, Quercus Chairman commented:
"These are highly impressive figures and demonstrate the power of the Terra Alliance across the globe. International ambition is often at the heart of our clients' growth agendas and the network consistently offers global reach and scale, local market knowledge and direct access to potential buyers and sellers."
Much is made about the need to have a strategy if a privately-owned business is to achieve its potential.
But it’s an argument that misses something which is quite fundamental.
For an effective strategy to be drawn up and implemented, there needs to be clear thinking by the owner-manager who has become increasingly focused on the day-to-day operations.
The company might never have been more successful financially, but ironically, it could now be much more vulnerable because it has never been so inward looking.
A report commissioned by Quercus considers the issues.
Included are the views of Neil Pizzey (Amazon Filters), Lee Biggins (CV-Library), Nick Jubert (Dennys Brands), Phil Simmonds (EC Electronics), Philip Haines (Field Systems Designs), Gary Robinson (LG Motion), David Shore (Time 24) and Tony Robinson (Uki Media & Events), Chris Sykes (Volume).
A copy can be viewed and downloaded using the link below.
https://indd.adobe.com/view/35e7ae86-d343-4abc-bff3-a06da7cb9462
The Quercus team, led by Andrew Clegg and Nick Standen, originated, structured and sourced the funding for the buy out of Rowan which operates in the discount retail channel.
The buy-out was led by existing directors, John Place and Duncan Mastin, and provides an exit for the three founder shareholders. Pascal Wittet led the investment for Connection Capital and joins the Board alongside incoming chairman, John Cleland.
Rowan sources, stocks and distributes a wide range of FMCG products that are considered by suppliers not right for the usual channels, such as the major multiples and convenience chains, and sells these products largely into the fast growing discount retail channel in the UK and mainland Europe.
Rowan’s leading position in the market is built on a 30-year track record and its reputation as renowned experts in a specialist field, its professionalism in maintaining brand integrity for suppliers and its speed and flexibility.
Financial details have not been disclosed.
Andrew Clegg, Quercus Partner said:
“This is a wonderful result for John and Duncan who are passionate about their business. Rowan is ideally placed to grow further in the UK and across mainland Europe and I am delighted that the team’s exciting vision has attracted support from Connection Capital.”
John Place, Rowan CEO, added:
“It has been a pleasure working with Quercus. Duncan and I have known Andy and Nick for many years and we are really pleased to have benefited from their wise counsel and deep private equity experience. These are exciting times for Rowan and we very much look forward to working with the Connection Capital team to drive the business forward.”
The Quercus team, led by Andrew Clegg, advised OCS on the sale of the company to Leeds-based Lexia, whose divisions include Rhodar, one of the UK’s biggest and longest established asbestos removal contractors.
Financial details have not been disclosed.
OCS Environmental Services Limited is a specialist asbestos removal business with operations in London and the south of England. The company has extensive experience and expertise in working with asbestos, successfully completing projects across the UK for both public and private sector organisations.
Andrew Clegg, Quercus Partner said:
“I am delighted that we have found OCS’s asbestos business such a good home. OCS Environmental Services has an excellent reputation and strong client base and the combination presents Rhodar with an excellent opportunity to further strengthen and expand its presence in the South of England.”
Paul Ranson, Group M&A and Projects Manager for OCS, added:
“We are delighted that our asbestos removal business is now partnering with an organization with the experience and track record to maximize the available growth opportunities. We are also pleased to have benefited from the wise counsel and experience of Quercus Corporate Finance. There was much complexity to navigate in this deal and the Quercus team's tenacity, coupled with their relentless focus on producing a good result, made a real difference.”
Quercus Corporate Finance is delighted to announce the sale of M&G Presents Limited (trading as Qwerkity), to The Book People.
The Quercus team advised the shareholders of M&G Presents Limited (trading as ‘Qwerkity’) on the sale of the company to The Book People. The Book People is backed by private equity and prior to this acquisition had already expanded its range beyond books alone to toys, gifts and stationery.
Financial details have not been disclosed.
Qwerkity started life in 1989 as Presents for Men when the founder, Jane Hudson, noticed that it was difficult to find unusual, good quality and inexpensive presents for the male members of her family. Over the years the business has grown considerably, becoming one of the foremost mail order gift companies in the UK selling gifts for men, women and children as well as practical products for the house, garden and travel. In 2014, Presents for Men was rebranded Qwerkity to reflect this broader offering.
The owners Jane and Norman Hudson said:
"Quercus got to know and understand the details of our business intimately and they guided us in how to present it to potential purchasers. They supported and steered us through the sale process, which was much more bumpy than we had imagined. Their hard work and determination has resulted in us being able to retire.”
Quercus Corporate Finance welcomes the arrival of Mark Whelan as a Partner.
This latest senior appointment underscores the firm’s ambition to be the financial advisor of choice for businesses across the South.
Mark, who is based in Kent, has completed over 60 transactions and joins from EY.
Mark is a well respected figure in the waste management, recycling and industrial services sectors and previously worked for KPMG and Cleanaway, now part of Veolia.
Mark, who brings over 28 years of M&A experience to his new role, says that it is an exciting time to be joining Quercus.
“The firm's progress over the past three years is highly impressive and the opportunity to work with such a talented and well respected team with a clear strategy for growth was too compelling to turn down."
Nick Standen, Quercus Chairman added:
"I have known Mark for over 17 years and he is a highly experienced operator with an exemplary track record of getting deals done. We are delighted that he has decided to join us and we now offer clients a unique proposition; a partner group with over 100 years combined advisory experience and a track record of over 350 successful deals."
Quercus Corporate Finance is delighted to announce that one of its partners, Andrew Clegg, has been crowned Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year at the 2017 Insider Dealmakers Awards.
This is the second consecutive year Andrew has won this prestigious award - his third in total - which is voted on by the Corporate Finance community across the South East of England.
Nick Standen, Chairman of Quercus, commented:
“I am delighted that Andrew's achievements have once again been recognised this year. He continues to play a key role in the south east M&A arena with a deserved reputation for providing high quality advice and getting deals done."
Andrew Clegg added:
"This award is a great honour. It reflects not only a very successful year but also an enormous amount of hard work put in by the whole of the Quercus team. In the post-Brexit environment we continue to see strong momentum in the mid-market and expect 2017 to be another strong year for deals."
Quercus Corporate Finance is delighted to announce the sale of Variohm Holdings Limited to London Stock Exchange listed Acal plc.
The Quercus team, led by Amanda Hall and Andrew Clegg, advised the shareholders of Variohm Holding Limited (“Variohm”) on the sale of the group to Acal plc, for £12m.
Variohm is an independent market leader in the design, manufacture and supply of motion, sensor and measurement solutions for businesses across Europe and the USA. Founded by Roy and Joan Moffat in 1974, the business offers a wide range of component parts and sub-assemblies to customers requiring control and sensing products supported by engineering expertise and manufacturing capabilities.
Headquartered in the UK and employing some 150 highly skilled staff, Variohm comprises four complementary divisions operating across three UK sites and one in Germany.
Amanda Hall, Founding Partner of Quercus said:
“From our very first meeting with Roy it was clear how important it was to him and Joan that we found the right home for the business they had nurtured and grown over some 42 years. In Acal I believe we have found that buyer. Andrew and I are delighted to have led the team advising the shareholders in realizing the considerable commitment and investment they have made in Variohm over the years.”
Roy Moffatt added:
"I believe this is an excellent deal for both the shareholders of Variohm and Acal and I look forward to watching the Group flourish under its new ownership. The advice provided by Amanda and Andrew was outstanding; their total commitment to achieving an excellent result for us together with their straightforward, objective advice and years of tradecraft was greatly appreciated."
Quercus Corporate Finance LLP is delighted to announce that it has been shortlisted three times in the 2017 Insider Dealmakers Awards.
For the third year in a row the team has been shortlisted as 'Corporate Finance Team of the Year' and founding partner Andrew Clegg received 'Corporate Finance Adviser of the Year' and 'Dealmaker of the Year' nominations.
Nick Standen, Chairman of Quercus, commented:
“I am delighted that the community continues to recognise our latest deal activity with these much valued nominations. Our strategy of providing partner-led insight and clear and objective advice to the mid-market continues to serve us well, and we enter the New Year busier than ever.”
Quercus Corporate Finance is delighted to announce the sale of AWC Industries Limited to Sertec Group Limited.
The Quercus team, led by Amanda Hall, advised the shareholders of AWC Industries Limited (“AWC”) on the sale of the group to Sertec Group Limited, for an undisclosed sum.
AWC is a market-leading precision engineering business which provides technically challenging flat and round metal components for the European automotive industry. The group, which can trace its history back to 1919, employs over 700 staff across its modern facilities in the UK, Germany and Hungary.
Amanda Hall, said:
“With over 70% of AWC’s products being sold into Europe the business is highly dependent on this market place. This deal shows UK businesses with a strong European presence continue to be highly attractive post Brexit. I am delighted to have led the team advising the shareholders in realizing the considerable commitment and investment they have made in AWC over the last 13 years.”
Allan Cook, founder and majority shareholder of AWC added:
"I believe this is an excellent deal for both the shareholders of AWC and Sertec. We know that we have found a buyer that shares the same family owned values we instilled in AWC. In turn AWC offers Sertec access to additional products, customers and international reach. The advice provided by Amanda and the team at Quercus Corporate Finance was first class; their commercially focused, hands on approach and tireless commitment to achieving an excellent result made all difference and we are delighted with the result."
