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A Total M&A Solution

In the entrepreneurial world of freight forwarding and logistics, growth through merger or acquisition is an increasingly popular way for successful companies to add profitable sales to their bottom line and to attract experienced and highly qualified personnel.

During a 30-year career in freight forwarding, Simon Ward has gained first hand experience of achieving growth through M&A. Today, he uses this knowledge and expertise to advise a growing number of clients on the best companies to buy to suit their specific requirements and also helps other businesses achieve the best price when the time is right to sell their company.

“If you buy the right company, it is an effective way to grow your business quickly and successfully. Buy the wrong one and it can turn into a catastrophe! Many of our clients choose the merger and acquisition route to extend their geographic reach or to expand into new vertical markets and I am pleased to report we have many successful deals under our belts and several clients that come back to us every time they’re looking to buy,” he says.

The present day market is so buoyant that First Choice has an unprecedented number of businesses looking to make a purchase. By working with Simon Ward and the team at First Choice Corporate, they are partnering with an M&A specialist that can manage the entire process from acquisition or sale through to the successful conclusion of a deal. Beyond that, First Choice can provide additional management consultancy and recruitment solutions from executive level all the way through the ranks.

Simon Ward adds: “When businesses are buying or selling, they want an adviser with a proven track record. We have that. They also appreciate that we understand the industry they’re in and that many of us have also been in their shoes. Most of all, they appreciate our flexibility and the fact that we’re not victims of a rigid structure. We will tailor our service to suit each individual client.” One of the first tasks is to make sure a client’s expectations are realistic. First Choice won’t accept any brief that it believes in unachievable.

When it comes to negotiation, common sense is often the main ingredient to doing a deal. “We understand the emotions involved. Selling a business or acquiring one is a stressful and challenging experience and it’s one that many people will only go through once during their career,” he says.

Researching the market

To offer the best advice, you need to be in touch with the marketplace. As well as ongoing intelligence gathering on companies and the freight market, First Choice also uses a high profile marketing campaign and advertisements in the trade press and national media to identify both buyers and sellers. This regularly helps to highlight new opportunities for clients both in the UK and internationally.

With an extensive portfolio of companies for sale, looking to acquire or seeking a merger, First Choice provides a range of services to help them achieve their respective goals.

How we can help you?

• We’ll find the best company or individuals to suit your specific brief
• Our experts will assist, mediate and negotiate on behalf of either buyer or seller and participate in all scheduled meetings
• First Choice will perform commercial due diligence if required by the client. We’ll also:

The first step is free

At First Choice, Simon Ward and his colleagues believe a prospective client should have the opportunity to discuss their requirements without having to make a commitment. So the first consultation with the First Choice M&A team is always free of charge. Both parties can then gauge whether it is appropriate to take the next step.

Contact us in confidence

For further information or to arrange a meeting, please contact Simon Ward in strictest confidence via email at simon.ward@firstchoiceuk.com or call +44 (0)1784 421 234