Westcotts Corporate Finance team in top 5 for dealmaking advisers in South West

Westcotts Corporate Finance team has had a productive year supporting a number of valuable company transactions and deals across the South West. The firm was ranked in the top five dealmaker advisers in the South West by South West Business Insider, supporting 11 deals in the last 12 month worth around £46m.

The team undertakes a variety of work including mergers & acquisitions, due diligence, valuation work and more general strategic advice often around succession and exit planning.

In recent months, they have seen businesses begin adapting to the new change of government and policies announced in the Autumn Budget. Whilst some are thriving, others face headwinds especially around the National Insurance increases.

On the other hand, they are seeing continued buyer interest for quality business, especially from overseas buyers. Indeed, in the four deals highlighted below, two involved European based buyers. The UK is an attractive place to invest owing to low sovereignty risk, innovation and of course our economy is the 6^th largest in the world per the World Economic Forum.

Take a look below at some of the deals Westcotts have supported this year.

Deal 1: Waterhouse Electrical & Engineering Ltd

Westcotts worked with owners of Waterhouse Electrical & Engineering, based in Weston-super-Mare, to look at succession planning and exit options. This culminated in the successful sale to a London based financial buyer. Post acquisition the business has continued to expand in terms of headcount and revenue and the vendors have received all consideration (including a deferred element). Westcotts provided corporate finance, taxation and personal financial planning advice to the vendors.

Deal 2: Ideal Foods Ltd

Westcotts advised Ideal Foods, a Cornwall head-quartered trader and specialist in fish procurement and export to a global market. The team supported the firm on its sale to Pelagia Holdings, a large Norwegian based fish producer with operations across Europe. Westcotts provided corporate finance and taxation advice to the vendors.

Deal 3: Canonbury Group Ltd

Westcotts, acting on behalf of retained private equity client Canonbury, helped source and facilitate the acquisition of Chilled Heat Limited, a Somerset based provider of commercial heating and refrigeration services. Westcotts provided buyside structuring and negotiation advice.

Deal 4: Calleva Ltd

Westcotts Corporate Finance Team advised Calleva Limited on the merger with Swedish based Wellma, a Swedish based nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals group, in a multi-million-pound transaction. Westcotts provided valuation, structuring and negotiation advice to the vendors.

Considering buying a company or selling your company? Get in touch with the Westcotts Corporate Finance team if you are looking for personalised and friendly advice. You can email Alison Watts,  Corporate Finance Partner, at alison.watts @westcotts.uk or call 01392 288555 or contact Will Mudd, Corporate Finance Director, at will.mudd@westcotts.uk or 07741 587189 for an no obligation, confidential initial discussion.