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Buying a Business

Our partner team has over 50 years’ experience and a successful track record of helping clients to identify and buy a business.

We support clients who are looking to find acquisition opportunities and help approach and negotiate and unlock opportunities. We can help business owners and corporates looking to make acquisitions and management teams looking to buy the business they manage.

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Our process delivers results

1
1-3 weeks

Preparation

Based on our sector knowledge and research capabilities we cab help to map the market and advise on acquisition strategy.

2
1-3 weeks

Approach

We can approach acquisition targets and based on our years’ of experience we can help to identify and  “unlock” off market opportunities.

3
1-3 weeks

Detailed review

We implement a professional and confidential acquisition process to obtain the best value.

4
1-3 weeks

Negotiation

Our team is experienced in negotiating with corporates, institutions and owner managers to achieve the best terms possible.

5
1-3 weeks

Due diligence & legals

Our team is properly resourced with dedicated  specialist professionals to support clients and to minimise the stress of buying a business and delivery the best outcomes.

6
1-3 weeks

Completion

Our team help project manage the process and liaise with your accountants, tax advisors, lawyers and other professionals to help deliver outstanding outcomes for our clients.

Providing
outstanding results
for our clients

Evolve Corporate Finance is independent and owned by our Partners who have over 50 years’ experience of helping clients to buy and sell businesses and raise finance. Our Partners have a track record of running a multiple award-winning firm.
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We are committed to delivery the highest quality, truly independent and confidential strategic advice to clients including management teams, corporates and institutions.

We have an experienced team with the expertise, international reach and research capabilities to help on the most complex of transactions ranging from:

helping a management team buy the business they manage.

selling a business to an international strategic trade buyer.

raising finance to fund an equity release for the shareholders or provide funds to support the future business plans.

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OUR TEAM EXPERIENCE

25+

average partner experience

100+

completed deals

>50%

proportion of deals that are cross border

100+

years of combined experience

Don't just take our word for it...

Our Partners have completed numerous deal and are personally recommended.

Ian Lawson

Exiting shareholder
,
NFS 360 Connect

“Evolve provided first-class advice to lead us towards the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.’’

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“We were delighted to work with Evolve as our advisors who applied their extensive knowledge of the process, understood the nuances of our business, and were able to integrate themselves into our team. Professional and dynamic, Evolve provided first-class advice to lead us towards the best possible outcomes for all stakeholders.’’

Savannah de Savary

CEO, and Founder
,
Built ID

“Evolve was recommended to us by a former colleague, where they had successfully negotiated an exit for tech business. We found their guidance to be indispensable."

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“The partners at Evolve were recommended to us by a former colleague, where they had successfully negotiated an exit for their tech business. We found their guidance to be indispensable and that our transaction benefitted enormously from their hands-on approach. Doug’s market analysis was excellent and David’s negotiation skills were a key factor in getting a positive result for our shareholders. We were able to trust them implicitly. I couldn’t recommend them more highly and would certainly work with Evolve again.”

Arthur Rudge

Chairman
,
Metpro

“Evolve understood our agenda from the start and was instrumental in finding the right private equity partner. They understood our criteria and displayed a commitment to achieving a great result.”

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Full testimonial:

“We appointed Evolve as they promised a partner-led approach.  As owner-managers, Evolve understood our agenda from the start and was instrumental in finding the right private equity partner for Metpro. They understood our criteria and displayed a commitment to achieving a great result for the shareholders and business. I would have no hesitation in recommending them to others.”

Don Mucci

Managing Director
,
Amco

"They offered us a full end-to-end service. The experience they have brought to the deal has been second to none, always on hand to guide and support us through the transaction."

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Full testimonial:

"The Evolve team offered us a full end-to-end service in selling our business. The experience they have brought to the deal has been second to none, always on hand to guide and support us through the transaction. The dedication they showed was a key part of the ultimate success of the transaction. I would not hesitate to recommend the Evolve team for anyone wanting to sell their business."

James Cadman

Managing Director
,
J B Kind

“David has supported us on completing our management buy-out and subsequent refinancing. David delivered what he promised: a partner led service, always on hand and providing us with strong commer..."

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Full testimonial:

“David has supported us on completing our management buy-out and subsequent refinancing.   David delivered what he promised: a partner led service, always on hand and providing us with strong commercial advice.  He also displayed an exceptional understanding of the funding market which enabled us to get our deal completed without complication or delay.  David kept in regular contact after completion of the buyout to provide advice on market and economic changes that were relevant to the business.  I would have no hesitation in recommending David”

Mark Beadle

Executive Chairman
,
Happy Days Nurseries

"We worked with David Neate on the sale of Happy Days to Zetland Capital in 2022.  I believe that all of the parties recognised and benefited from David's decades of experience of advising on and ..."

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Full testimonial:

"We worked with David Neate on the sale of Happy Days to Zetland Capital in 2022.  I believe that all of the parties recognised and benefited from David's decades of experience of advising on and completing deals.  I very much appreciated David's pragmatic and carefully thought through advice and hope to work with him again in the future."

Richard North

CEO
,
Wow! Stuff

“There’s an old saying that companies don’t do business with companies, people do business with people. That’s never been truer when working with David. His communication and negotiation skills br...”

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Full testimonial:

“There’s an old saying that companies don’t do business with companies, people do business with people. That’s never been truer when working with David. His communication and negotiation skills bring a human touch to any deal. He is equally at home when working with entrepreneurs on a sell side as with corporates on a buy side. He’s the finest, most honourable gent I have come across in the corporate finance industry and I have no hesitation in recommending him and his services.”

John Southall

CEO
,
Southall Associates

“After taking time to understand our business model, David and his team managed the whole process and guided us through the myriad questions and scenarios. I would highly recommend them.  David wa...”

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Full testimonial:

“After taking time to understand our business model, David and his team managed the whole process and guided us through the myriad questions and scenarios. I would highly recommend them.  David was available around the clock and operated in a friendly advisor style, understanding our goals and helping us get the right result.”

Julian Bryan

Managing Director
,
Quill

"With Justin I know I am getting thought-through advice and guidance based on experience and knowledge of the market.  It was always very reassuring to have calm and professional support on hand t..."

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Full testimonial:

"With Justin I know I am getting thought-through advice and guidance based on experience and knowledge of the market.  It was always very reassuring to have calm and professional support on hand throughout the process."

David Keene

Shareholder and Managing Director
,
RDM Group

"Justin and David promised to provide a premium and highly professional service with value added advice.  They delivered more than they promised and exceeded our expectations on all counts.  They..."

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Full testimonial:

"Justin and David promised to provide a premium and highly professional service with value added advice.  They delivered more than they promised and exceeded our expectations on all counts.  They shared our commitment and drive to make the deal happen.  I would have no hesitations in recommending them."

Alan Taylor

Managing Director and Major Shareholder
,
Midland Industrial Glass Limited

"Having already been through an MBO we felt that we had learnt a lot about negotiating a deal and raising finance.  However, we are extremely thankful that we appointed Justin and David to work wi..."

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Full testimonial:

"Having already been through an MBO we felt that we had learnt a lot about negotiating a deal and raising finance.  However, we are extremely thankful that we appointed Justin and David to work with us on this new deal as they added value throughout the whole process.  It is a fact that without their dedication and expertise we would not have successfully completed this deal.  They supported and guided us at all times but we always felt in control and more than comfortable in what can be a fairly daunting and involved process. We would highly recommend using them and know that although it felt like a big financial commitment at the time, all parties involved agreed it was certainly money well spent. We shall be using them again without hesitation."

Stuart Finlator

Former owner and Director
,
Race Furniture

“Throughout the whole process Justin worked relentlessly towards making this fantastic deal happen.  He is hugely knowledgeable and skilful in his approach and was able to negotiate the very best...”

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Full testimonial:

“Throughout the whole process Justin worked relentlessly towards making this fantastic deal happen.  He is hugely knowledgeable and skilful in his approach and was able to negotiate the very best outcome for us; I could not recommend his services more highly.”

Julian Bryan

Former Chief Executive and shareholder
,
Veterinary Solutions

"It wasn’t until we had engaged the services of Justin that we realised how valuable he was in supporting us through our recent sale.  Not only did he know how to manage the relationship with a se..."

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Full testimonial:

"It wasn’t until we had engaged the services of Justin that we realised how valuable he was in supporting us through our recent sale.  Not only did he know how to manage the relationship with a seasoned acquirer, but he ensured we secured full value and, most importantly, allowed us to get on with the ‘day job’ of running the business to maintain the value through the transaction.  This was particularly important to us as we were continuing on within the business after completion.  Money very well spent!"

Jonathan Hildred

Former shareholder and Managing Director
,
Medical Imaging

"We were guided through the process from start to finish and Justin was always on hand to assist.  We would certainly recommend the services of Justin to anyone wishing to consider selling or buyi..."

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Full testimonial:

"We were guided through the process from start to finish and Justin was always on hand to assist.  We would certainly recommend the services of Justin to anyone wishing to consider selling or buying a business."

Mark Hoptroff

Director and former owner
,
DG8 Design and Engineering

“The only mistake we made in using Justin was not getting him involved sooner! He joined the project at a difficult stage but turned the deal around to ensure that all of our hard work didn't go t...”

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Full testimonial:

“The only mistake we made in using Justin was not getting him involved sooner! He joined the project at a difficult stage but turned the deal around to ensure that all of our hard work didn't go to waste. Both sides of the transaction commented that without Justin's involvement we wouldn't have got the deal over the line and their support was excellent, no matter what time of day.”

Daniel Zaydman

Former shareholder and Chairman
,
RedSpeed International

“I have previously worked with other advisers to sell my businesses and Justin brought a fresh approach to this transaction.  I am very happy with the outcome of the sale, Justin was fully committ...”

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Full testimonial:

“I have previously worked with other advisers to sell my businesses and Justin brought a fresh approach to this transaction.  I am very happy with the outcome of the sale, Justin was fully committed to making it happen and their senior team provided helpful and practical advice at all times.”

Nick Smith

Former owner and Director
,
Alanto

“Justin guided us through the sales process, providing expert and honest advice to ensure this deal happened. We selected Justin based on his international capability, partner-led approach and str...”

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Full testimonial:

“Justin guided us through the sales process, providing expert and honest advice to ensure this deal happened. We selected Justin based on his international capability, partner-led approach and strong track record and would recommend him to anyone wishing to sell their business.”

Katharine Pinfold

Former owner and Director
,
Claremont Ingredients

“Justin helped steer the sale of our company through a challenging period of Covid-19. Throughout a long process they worked tirelessly and were always available, professional and supportive. We h...”

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Full testimonial:

“Justin helped steer the sale of our company through a challenging period of Covid-19. Throughout a long process they worked tirelessly and were always available, professional and supportive. We have no doubt that we chose the right partner to manage the sale process.”

Delivering creative and practical solutions to complete your deal!

We believe that clients want advice delivered by experienced partners with a track record of delivering successful outcomes for our clients. Our philosophy is to deliver a hands on partner led approach on transactions.

Get in touch with a partner