Corbett Keeling

Oh, what a night! Mid-October 2024 — a truly special evening, A room full of friends, with memories worth reliving, Corbett Keeling's 30th — what a milestone to celebrate! Oh, what a night! Claridge’s, black ties, and stories exchanged, Close to 100 clients — our journey forever changed, Reflecting on deals, partnerships, and futures so bright. From drinks at dusk to carriages at eleven, The night felt like a little piece of heaven. Honoured you could join and share in the fun, Here’s to more success, growth, and bonds as one. To all our clients and partners, thank you for being part of this unforgettable night — we look forward to celebrating many more milestones together! A heartfelt thank you to Claridge's for providing the perfect setting, impeccable service, and creating a truly wonderful experience for our guests.

After a strong second quarter, private M&A activity appears to have softened over the past three months. Yet, as Jim Keeling notes in the October edition of UK Private Company Director, many deals are still progressing, and 2024 is shaping up to be an active year overall. With the Autumn Budget just around the corner, you may be wondering how speculation around potential policy changes — including a possible increase in Capital Gains Tax — could affect the M&A market. While some sellers are delaying their plans in anticipation of the Budget, others are keen to act now to mitigate against any potential increases. The good news? Well-prepared businesses are thriving, and buyers remain actively interested, particularly in companies with strong growth potential. Looking at the bigger picture, while there’s understandable caution in the market, the outlook is more optimistic than it may first seem. Inflation is easing, and potential interest rate cuts could make debt more affordable, keeping buyers interested, especially from overseas. Reflecting on Corbett Keeling’s 30 years in the industry, we’ve seen many political and economic shifts. Despite the challenges these changes bring, the private M&A market always finds a way forward. Deals get done, businesses are sold, and capital is raised — regardless of broader economic conditions. The key takeaway? Well-prepared businesses fare best. If you’ve taken the time to get your house in order, you’ll be in a stronger position to act when opportunities arise — and they do, even in uncertain times. Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/euwTiTrJ

Congratulations to Amy Knight for her remarkable journey in building Must Have Ideas Ltd into a thriving online retailer! What began in her spare room with her husband Rob Knight and business partner Chris Finch, selling exciting, innovative products you couldn’t find in a supermarket, has grown into a business that dispatches thousands of orders every day. Amy’s motto – 'Treat everyone like your nan and make decisions that would make your mum proud' – embodies the values that have driven her success. Her vision of turning Must Have Ideas into a household name is well on its way, and she continues to be an inspiring role model to her daughters and future generations. A well-deserved achievement, Amy – from everyone at Corbett Keeling!

Congratulations to Sat Sanghera on this well-deserved recognition as one of The LDC Top 50 Most Ambitious Leaders and for receiving the People Award! We are proud to have Sat as a sector specialist and advisor with Corbett Keeling, where his commitment to excellence mirrors his impressive achievements at IP Integration. His vision and expertise continue to inspire not only the business leaders he works with but also the wider M&A community. Well done, Sat, and keep it exceptional!

We’re delighted to welcome Liam Finn to the Corbett Keeling team as our newest off-cycle intern analyst.   Liam recently graduated with First Class Honours in Finance from Durham University and brings valuable experience from internships at KPMG and SilverMile Capital . In addition to his academic achievements, Liam is a dedicated rugby player, having represented the Durham University 1st XV, earned BUCS Gold in Rugby XII’s, and played for the Irish Exiles, East Midlands, and Northampton Saints.   He’s already hit the ground running, making key contributions across a range of projects.    Welcome to the team, Liam.

We’re thrilled to announce that Matthew Broadberry has been promoted to Corporate Finance Manager at Corbett Keeling. Since joining us as an intern in 2020, Matthew has consistently made a significant impact – working with our directors to guide business owners through successful transactions and delivering outstanding results. His expertise, thoughtful approach, and dedication have shone through, most recently demonstrated in helping QX Global Group secure over £100m in growth investment from Long Ridge Equity Partners. Beyond the office, Matthew’s competitive spirit is evident. Fun fact: his enthusiasm for squash led him to achieve a world ranking of 177 and represent both England U19 and Great Britain at the World University Championships. Congratulations, Matthew! We’re excited to see the continued value you will bring to our clients and the firm. Learn more about Matthew and his journey with us here: https://lnkd.in/eT2RP8PW

Our Lunch & Learn sessions are invaluable for expanding our team's knowledge, whether we're exploring emerging technologies, market insights, or lessons from our client work. The recent session by Ones & Heroes on AI’s potential, limitations, and risks was particularly enlightening. We came away with a deeper understanding and a more open mind towards AI applications in the dynamic world of M&A. A big thank you to Patrick Mazzotta for sharing his insights and contributing to our continuous learning.

“My business is my pension” is a common refrain among entrepreneurs. However, relying solely on selling your business to fund retirement is fraught with risks. Faye Church FPFS MCSI of Rathbones, a leading provider of individual wealth management, highlights this in the July edition of UK Private Company Director. She offers actionable steps to secure your financial future while enhancing your business strategy. Dive deeper into these valuable insights in the latest edition of UK Private Company Director, the quarterly newsletter for directors of owner-managed, family, and private equity-backed businesses. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eCEB44UQ

With buyers seeking greater assurance on a business’s quality and growth potential, preparation is everything for company owners looking to sell, says James Goold, partner at global law firm Taylor Wessing UK. As Abraham Lincoln wisely said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Ensuring a business’s key commercial arrangements are contractually secure, its rights protected, and its legal obligations met is crucial to withstanding the scrutiny of a buyer’s due diligence. Dive deeper into these valuable insights in the latest edition of UK Private Company Director, the quarterly newsletter for directors of owner-managed, family, and private equity-backed businesses. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eRr8eHyF

In the July edition of UK Private Company Director, Jim Keeling reflects on the market activity of buying and selling private UK companies in the first half of this year, sharing an optimistic outlook supported by promising data. The larger deals sector has reached its highest level in two years, indicating strong investor sentiment. Deal volumes under £150 million remain robust, reflecting steady interest in smaller companies. We’ve experienced this momentum firsthand, closing several notable deals, including a £𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗤𝗫 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗽 from Long Ridge Equity Partners, the 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 to NUMA Group, and the 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲 & 𝗙𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗹 to B.V. Logicall Trusted Logistics. We anticipate more deals to close in the coming months. Market sentiment is decidedly optimistic, a trend underscored by our latest quarterly survey. Anticipated interest rate cuts by the Bank of England could further boost deal activity, prompting buyers to capitalise on new prospects. While political changes and global elections pose uncertainties, the UK's new government, with its strong majority, is committed to business-friendly policies. However, the long-term impact is yet to be seen. For business owners planning an exit and concerned about the broader environment or potential Capital Gains Tax increases, seeking expert advice is crucial. With over 30 years of experience navigating various political and economic landscapes, we remain confident that all participants – owners and advisers alike – will adapt and continue to get business done. For a deeper dive into these insights, check out the full article in the July edition of UK Private Company Director, the quarterly newsletter for directors of owner-managed, family, and private equity-backed businesses. Read the newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/d-wGVQWP