Successful six months for Hazlewoods' Corporate Finance team

Cheltenham-based accountants Hazlewoods' Corporate Finance team has advised on 45 deals worth more than £320 million in the first half of 2024, placing the firm in the top 10 of UK financial advisers in Experian’s latest H1 Market IQ report.

This will be the sixth consecutive year that it has held its overall UK ranking, with top 10 placings across the south west, London, Midlands, south east, Yorkshire & Humber and the north west.

The team advised on business sales, acquisitions, and refinancing deals in multiple sectors including healthcare, insurance, technology, automotive and specialist manufacturing.

Some highlights include:

• The £18 million sale of leading telecoms and web design company Smart Numbers Ltd to the MBO team, funded by private equity firm YFM and TriplePoint Bank.
• Supporting Bupa with the acquisition of Blackberry Clinic Group Ltd, and, more recently, the acquisition of London Medical.
• Assisting multi-award-winning tech company FluidOne Ltd of Brighton-based IT managed services provider Computer and Network Consultants Ltd – its third acquisition in twelve months.
• Voyage Care Ltd’s acquisition of Cristal Care Ltd and Newfound Care Ltd.
• Advising the owners of market-leading car and van leasing company XLCR Vehicle Management Ltd with the sale of the company to Global Vans, which is backed by H2 Equity Partners.

Hazlewoods Corporate Finance Director, Rich Grover, said: “We are delighted to have helped so many business owners buy, sell and refinance.

“Now that the general election has been held, inflation is falling and interest rates are gradually coming down, we are forecasting an increase in activity in the second half of 2024 as debt becomes cheaper and consumer confidence improves.

“Private equity firms are eager to deploy cash, whilst trade buyers seek acquisitions to consolidate their market position. Small and medium-sized business owners, who have been waiting for improvements in the UK economy, are now poised to take their businesses to market.”

“Fears that changes in Capital Gains Tax are coming down the line, is also fuelling a wave of activity.”

Hazlewoods 40-strong Corporate Finance team is one of the largest in the south.