Rapid and repeatable value creation
Buy and Build - M&A the PE Way
Buy and build is a systematic acquisition method used by private equity, marketing groups and fast growth agencies. We offer hands-on support to serial acquirers who want to build repeatable deal flow and integration capability using the playbooks our founder developed when building his last group.
The Approach
What is Buy and Build advisory?
Buy and Build is a way of growing a business through acquisitions. You don't wait for a deal to turn up and then decide whether you like it. You build the ability to find, assess, buy and integrate businesses, and then you do it again and again.
I know it works because I've done it. I raised private equity and venture credit, made thirteen acquisitions and built a marketing services group with revenues of £22m.
So, how does it work? I advise you at board level, using the playbooks and process I built on my own deals. You, the principal, do the work. I take on no more than two businesses at a time. That limit means I have the time to do the job properly.
I won't pretend it's easy. It takes a big commitment from both of us. But, it builds shareholder value quickly, and it leads to a more valuable business and a more successful exit when you come to sell.
The Methodology
Six pillars of execution.
01
Strategy
Together, we define your ideal acquisition profile and build a pipeline system to identify and source high-quality acquisition targets that align with your strategic goals.
02
Origination
Filling the funnel is about targeted outreach and a purposeful approach to generating inbound leads. My first four acquisitions came through LinkedIn, referrals and networking. No cold email, no cold calling. I'll show you how I did it so you can replicate.
03
Filtering
When the system is working well, you'll be assessing and analysing several agencies at once. That means you need a light process, a robust method and a pre-defined filtering system to weed out inappropriate targets early.
04
Dealmaking
The art of the deal is shaping outcomes that work for everyone. It's never just about price. We offer hands-on support to valuation, deal structuring, negotiation and everything you need to get a heads of terms signed.
05
Due Diligence and Closing the Deal
Due Diligence can be very distracting to the day job. It helps to have an extra pair of hands to marshal the lawyers, accountants and other special advisers who will do the heavy lifting. We'll help you keep the deal moving and act as a go between to overcome bumps in the road.
06
Integration
Anyone can buy another company, that's not the smart bit. Only integration delivers you the promise of value you're buying. Often overlooked or down weighted (including by me in the past), integration doesn't start when then deal closes. I'll show you how to set expectations during the deal making so integration can start properly the first week after close.
Who This Is For
Built for serial acquirers.
Buy and Build isn't just for PE-backed platforms and established groups. Ambitious independents are also now able to build scale through acquisition using exactly the same techniques. If you're small, start small - probably with an acquihire, but as you grow, so should the size of your targets. I started with a spreadsheet. If you have a platform already? You have a head start.
Ready to build your acquisition engine?
Let's discuss how Buy and Build can accelerate your growth.