Business Acquisitions – Learn from the Experts

We are thrilled to present to businesses our NEW, in-demand, and insightful event on acquisitions: the purchase of a portion or all of another company’s shares or assets.

Three local experts, experienced in their industries, will share their experiences, knowledge, and case examples of successful acquisitions.

When done properly, acquiring another business can favourably:

• Boost financials – taxes, revenue, assets, etc.
• Eliminate the competition
• Acquire talent
• Gain access to customers and leads
• And much more!

Join our guest speakers at The Finance Hub (TFH) as we host our Business Acquisitions event with Joanne Bell of Bells Accountants, Joe Milner, Partner and Solicitor Advocate at Loch Law, and Gillian Palmer, the Founder of Lending Made Simple and TFH; the new way of getting your finances sorted.

Your Speakers:

Joanne Bell of Bells Accountants

Joanne started Bells Accountants fourteen years ago, building her client base into a five-practice multi million-pound business through a combination of organic growth and acquisitions. She was named Top 50 Women in Finance (critically acclaimed international award) for her ground – breaking services to business, and was the thought leader on Acquisitions at Digital Accounting Show 2024.

Her passion is helping business owners to understand their numbers with a view to assisting them to make decisions that ultimately make them more profitable and more tax efficient.

Through her Acquisition Consultancy she takes business owners through an entire process which includes and will be covered in more detail on the 5th September:

• Valuing the target business, structuring a low-risk deal,
• Putting together suggested heads of terms that are achievable based on cash flow forecasting,
• Due diligence,
• Assisting the appointed lawyer to identify and protect the buyer from any potential financial risks ensuring complete peace of mind,
• Taking on the accounts and bookkeeping of the newly acquired business to make sure everything is running smoothly after the purchase and there are no after sale surprises (through Bells Accountants).

A true entrepreneur, Joanne has interests in multiple other businesses in various industries and so her personal knowledge and experience of the world of acquisition and investment is very varied. Joanne is an expert in supporting high growth businesses to remain profitable and meet their targets.

Gillian Palmer – Founder of Lending Made Simple and The Finance Hub

Not just another woman in finance, Gillian Palmer has been busy since the launch of The Finance Hub (TFH), winning ‘Women in Finance’ at the Kent Women in Business Awards, among other accolades, and boasting 25 years of experience as a business owner, building, buying, and selling her own businesses.

Gillian’s motto is ‘Let’s Talk!’ and she takes pride in welcoming people from all walks of life into TFH to discuss all things finance, whether business or personal. Gillian also runs Lending Made Simple, another finance venture reflecting the ethos of TFH – making money matters simpler, honest, and accessible.

Moreover, like Joanne, Gillian is a formidable entrepreneur, having previously established a successful multi-million-pound Xerox franchise business – a true rags-to-riches story. In the first year, Gillian set up the business with her brother in his lounge. By year four, they were turning over €3.5 million, eventually increasing their turnover to €7 million via acquisition.

Gillian is a Broker with extensive business experience, and she isn’t afraid to share her personal journey, acknowledging both her successes and the areas where she wishes she had done things differently.

Gillian will introduce the various options available to fund an acquisition:

• Lending against business hard assets (e.g. property, machinery),
• Lending against business soft assets (e.g. debtors book),
• Lending against personal assets (e.g. property),
• Business loans within an existing business.

Additionally, she will explore alternative funding options, providing:

• An overview of how they work,
• The pros and cons!

Joe Milner – Partner and Solicitor Advocate at Loch Associates Group

Joe Milner, Partner and Solicitor Advocate, joins us from Loch Associates Group, an organisation of Solicitors and People Professionals. Joe is a rising star in employment and business law, representing clients with contracts and service agreements, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, business immigration and litigation.

Last but not least, a hugely important expertise in acquisitions or sale is legal advice. Alongside trusted financial advisers that will aid every step of the transaction and take a pivotal role in the negotiations and set up.

Joe will provide an overview of what a typical acquisitions looks like and what can be the challenges and pitfalls to overcome, including:

• Assets vs share sale or other options,
• Getting confidentiality agreements in place and exclusivity,
• Due diligence,
• Key terms,
• Tricky areas (TUPE, Immigration and control clauses),
• Post completion harmonising.

Don’t miss this valuable opportunity and a first in this subject at The Finance Hub! Before we delve into the panel of speakers, there will be a chance to introduce yourself and your business goals. Similarly, after getting acquainted with each expert during the presentations, we will conclude the event with Q&A sessions, one-to-one meeting with the experts, and general business networking.

BOOK NOW!

Secure your place by submitting your details in the form below or give us a call with any questions on 01892 280000

We look forward to welcoming you to The Finance Hub for what promises to be a great event – free learning from experienced experts and tasty refreshments. ☕️ 🥐

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