M&A Strategies

Delighted to complete our second exit with Benchmark International. The process was as professional as the first, and the timeline even shorter with the deal completing in just five months from going live. I’d like to thank Alex Forshaw, Jonny Parkinson and the team for their drive and attention to detail throughout, and especially for their support and advice in the closing days that saw us through to a great deal. I would unreservedly recommend Benchmark.

Russell and his team have built a rapidly growing and highly successful Tech Track 100 business. Both our companies are extremely well aligned on ethos, technology and how we support our partners, which is why TelcoSwitch is the ideal home for PBX Hosting. We can’t wait to get started in enhancing our offering to our collective partners and customers.

We are so excited to join with A P Robinson & Co. My Grandfather, Denis Blow, established this firm over 50 years ago. This merger will take it into the next chapter. As the finance industry implements ever more streamlined systems, technological advancements and opportunities to support client business, our new organisation will be future proofed and ready to seize every opportunity.

"We’re incredibly excited to be joining Babble’s exceptional team as we continue to deliver world class support and services to our customers. We look forward to playing our part in their incredible story."

Over the years many colleagues and contemporaries voiced strongly that brokers were not to be trusted and that they would take your money and push you into the first offer, even if it wasn't a fit for your business. I might have agreed until I tentatively picked up the phone to Benchmark with trepidation to enquire about the process. From the first discussion with Tony Yerbury, I knew I was in excellent hands and if I was going to choose to use a broker to sell my business it was going to be Benchmark. Which I did in September 2020. By the October we had agreed the Information Memorandum and Benchmark were exploring multiple potential suitable organisations. By the end of November, 20 plus organisations had shown an interest and of that I’d chosen 8 to progress with. By mid-December we had received 7 offers culminating with accepting an offer by Christmas eve. Every step of the way the Benchmark team comprising of the bright, positive and proactive Erica Skittrall, alongside her colleagues, Andrew Roberts and Jonathon Parkinson, who are both consummate professionals and expert advisors, were by my side making sure that the negotiation was completed in the most fair and equitable way for my business to go on its next journey. By the first week of March 2021, following a short sharp but intensive due diligence process, the business sale was completed. If I had ever doubted using a broker, I am a convert, and if you are wavering to use a broker reach out to Benchmark first. I can't recommend them highly enough.

Benchmark’s knowledge of the domestic and international markets was key to finding the right buyer that understood our unique business culture. Benchmark International was there every step of the way and truly got to know how our business operated. In short, they truly partnered with us to ensure we received the best deal the market could offer.

We could not have completed the deal without Benchmark International. Their team was attentive from day one and made sure that all our questions were answered throughout the entire process. The process of finding the right partner and making a deal is like a rollercoaster moving at 100 mph but Benchmark International knew how to navigate the obstacles we encountered and helped us get the deal across the line.

We are so glad we chose Benchmark to help us sell our company. They far exceeded our expectations. They found us the perfect buyer and stayed with us every step of the way. James Sloane was exceptional. Excellent at negotiation, project management and tackling all the difficult negotiations. We had a very tight deadline and we would not have achieved it without him.

As founders, Graham, Chris and I are extremely proud of all that we have achieved so far. We know that Hymor is capable of achieving much more. So our priority was to find a partner with shared goals and values who would help it to fulfil its future potential. We were impressed with National Timber Group’s focus on product quality and its commitment to the highest standards of customer service. We are confident that we have selected the right partner and that Hymor will continue to prosper within the enlarged group.

James Sloane was patient when necessary and positively relentless when needed - a true professional at all times and a pleasure to work with. Thank you to James and all the team at Benchmark.