Hampshire: BCMS launches Persian Gulf operations in Bahrain

Award-winning M&A adviser BCMS, which is based in Kingsclere, Hampshire, has further enhanced its international reach following the opening of a new office in Bahrain to serve clients in the Gulf States.

BCMS Gulf’s new office is located at the Venture Capital Bank Building, Manama City, Bahrain, and grants the international M&A advisory unfettered access to dealmaking in the region, particularly in the vibrant economies of Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, and Kuwait. The launch follows the establishment of BCMS Hong Kong in March, increasing the overall number of the advisory’s international offices to 26.

The opening of the new office was celebrated with a launch event held on May 26 at the Capital Club in Manama City, which was held under the patronage of Shaikh Hisham bin Abdulrahman Al Khalifa, the capital governor of Bahrain.

The event featured an informative seminar on BCMS’ international M&A activity, which was presented by BCMS’ director of international development Dr Mike Sweeting. In attendance were a number of SME business owners, as well as regional business leaders, and a member of the Bahraini Royal Family.

Sweeting commented: “Large companies may have deep pockets, but they are also tough negotiators. Our business model is based on generating multiple offers for our clients in the Gulf, which typically increases the sale value significantly. It has been a success around the world, and I am pleased we are at last able to bring this to Bahrain.

“Around 250 small firms are snapped up every year in Bahrain – of which around 70% are bought by international acquirers. It’s clear the international appetite for the Gulf is an ongoing affair. We have a lot of high-growth companies here across diverse sectors, but no long tradition of buying and selling businesses. So we’re looking forward to completing our first cross-border transaction.”

Speaking about the launch of BCMS Gulf, CEO Mohammed Baqer commented: “The entry into Bahrain comes in line with our effort to organically expand our presence in the Middle East, which is a key strategic region for BCMS.”

The Gulf states, including Bahrain, remain powerhouses of investment activity. The region has seen vibrant cross border M&A activity, as well as IPOs and private equity investment valued in billions of US dollars.

BCMS is confident about replicating its international success in the region, and plans to add more territories later this year as part of its ongoing international development strategy. The start of Q2 2015 has seen the advisory firm announce deals on three continents, following one of the strongest first quarters of dealmaking.