Acquisitions Service for Overseas Acquirers
Spencer Partners has developed a specialist tailored service for overseas companies seeking to acquire a company or business in the UK.
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Acquiring a business can be a time-consuming and lengthy procedure at the best of times, but the problems are magnified in the case of an overseas company which is seeking to secure its first strategic acquisition in the UK market. The absence of an ‘on-the-ground’ presence, different business, accounting and legal practices and other cultural differences, together with the distance and travel involved, can make this a challenging and costly exercise. |
To address these issues, Spencer Partners has tailored its acquisition advisory services specifically in order to provide a comprehensive package of the professional help that an overseas company will be likely to need. This package covers the full extent of an acquisition project in the UK, from research through negotiations and due diligence to completion and beyond.
Our specialist service would typically cover the following areas:
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Spencer Partners would agree with you the specific characteristics of your ideal acquisition opportunity in the UK market (product range, turnover, typical customer profile, age/experience of management team, location, historic profitability, likely acquisition cost etc).
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Spencer Partners would then undertake the necessary research and draw up a list of candidates meeting the appropriate criteria. We would source statutory accounts and as much other relevant financial and corporate information as can be publicly obtained, for your consideration.
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We would discuss the list of potential targets with you and agree a final approved shortlist of companies for Spencer Partners to approach on your behalf.
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Spencer Partners would make confidential approaches to the targets, to explore whether there is a potential appetite for the transaction. Where there was a positive response, we would set up exchanges of Non-Disclosure Agreements, further initial information exchanges and meetings with the decision-makers at the target companies.
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The intention would be to set up a series of meetings for you (which we would also attend as required) with potential target companies, with these meetings all taking place during one visit by you to the UK.
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In the event of a favourable response from one or more of the target companies, Spencer Partners would then represent you ‘on the ground’ in this country, including attending meetings on your behalf as required and assisting you with any negotiations which ensue. We would assist you with structuring an appropriate transaction, preparing Heads of Agreement and with due diligence. Spencer Partners can also assist you, if required, in identifying cost-effective legal, accounting, tax or other specialist due diligence providers.
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Where appropriate, Spencer Partners can also provide assistance with post-acquisition integration issues and opportunities.
Spencer Partners are conveniently located in Central England (in Northampton), with easy access to London and Birmingham, and offer highly competitive “out of London” rates (typically less than 50 per cent of London charges).
In addition, our close association with leading UK law firm Hewitsons LLP and with specialist accountancy firms offers considerable advantages for our clients in terms of efficiency and cost-saving, should those firms be instructed on the legal, accounting or taxation aspects of an assignment.
Please contact us if you are an overseas company considering an acquisition in the UK market and you would like to find out more about how Spencer Partners can assist you in the process.