Acquisitions and flotation’s
I’ve seen a rapid expansion in the number of acquisitions and flotation’s over the last year. Whilst corporate finance boutiques, legal firms, banks and accountants are the main beneficiaries it has certainly boosted my work:
- I completed one assignment last week for a company making an £8 million turnover acquisition. One of the stipulations from the lead lender was the appointment of a Finance Director.
- I am currently assisting a business who is looking for a Finance Director to turn the business round and lead a Management Buy Out in the next 12 months.
- Another organisation is looking to do an AIM flotation and would like my assistance in finding somebody to lead them through this process.
In addition to strong businesses in the region and some excellent Managing Directors, low interest rates and the liquidity of the finance market has definitely helped to fuel these busy times.
Economic realities
I hope the recent turmoil in the financial markets does not affect the liquidity that has been so helpful to the regional economy.
It seems strange to me how over-leveraged mortgage companies in America can rock the world and I congratulate the Bank of England for standing firm against calls to bail out similar companies in the UK.
I do believe people operating in these companies can learn lessons from the successful Managing Directors and Finance Directors I work with daily. Many operate in tight manufacturing markets and wouldn’t have made the mistake of relying entirely on credit ratings. Nor would they ever expect to be bailed out by the Central banks.
Having recruited senior executives in both London and South Yorkshire in my career, I firmly believe candidates in the North who operate in tight margin and operational businesses can teach their contemporaries down South a lot. There are many thriving businesses in the area that need to make tough decisions day in day out and don’t make and lose millions from placing bets on money markets.
Finance Director Surveys
We’re planning to re-launch our regular Finance Director Surveys. This being 2007, we’ll be sending the survey questions and results out electronically. If you’d like to take part in the Survey or to receive a copy of the Results please contact me and I’ll be pleased to help.
For further information on our recent salary survey, our forthcoming Finance Director Surveys or to find out about the many senior finance roles that Cliff Sewell and I are working on please contact:
Ben Sequerraat ben.sequerra@sewellm.co.uk
Cliff Sewell at cliff.sewell@sewellm.co.uk
Alternatively call either Ben or Cliff on 0114 268 3313
SHEFFIELD BUSINESS