EVENTS GALLERY

Breakfast Event – Thursday 26th January 2012

Professional Liverpool’s Corporate Finance Group which includes MSIF, Brabners Stuart and NatWest held a seminar on the topic of Management Buy Outs. Guest speakers included Greg Shields who led the 2007 MSIF-backed buy out of law firm Forster Dean and experienced businessman Keith Jordan who led a Management Buy In and now sits on the boards of numerous businesses which have undergone buy outs.

The event, which was chaired by Liverpool Chamber of Commerce CEO Jack Stopforth, included presentations from Steve Stuart from corporate finance advisors Brabners Stuart, Marc Shirman from NatWest and Marion Savill from MSIF who looked at the key stages of the buy out process and the different types of finance available to support a transaction. Greg Shields and Keith Jordan provided a perspective from a business’s point of view and shared the knowledge they had gained from their own experiences.

The key messages were:-

Funding is available for MBOs – if you have a good business plan, you will be able to raise finance.
Ensure you have good advisors around you. The buy out process is complex – good advisors will help you to assess the feasibility of a possible deal, ensure you have a good understanding of the process, help you make the right decisions and keep you focused.
Remember the buy out process is essentially two separate transactions: one with the vendor and one with the funders;
Different types of finance suit different needs. An equity investor will be looking for an exit at some point which may suit if you if you want to make money by selling the business in a few years time. Other finance such as loan and mezzanine funding can be used for a longer term option.
Don’t be afraid of outsiders. People who don’t work for the business but who sit on the board as non executives are really valuable.
There are different ways to add value to a business. You will maximise your chance of success if you have a clear plan at the outset of how you will achieve this.

If you are interested in finding out more about management buy outs or would like a copy of the slides from this event please let us know.

MSIF Client Christmas Drinks Reception
7th December 2011

MSIF hosted a festive drinks reception for clients at their new offices in Exchange Court. The event was attended by around 70 guests who enjoyed delicious canapés provided by Pickled Walnut washed down with plenty of bubbles.

COO Lisa Greenhalgh said "It was great to see so many of our clients together. Everyone really enjoyed the occasion and as well as the social side it was a good opportunity for people running businesses to network together and to share their experiences. Clients also discussed opportunities on how they could work together which is particularly useful at the moment when times are difficult.”