Buy and Build

This week we speak with Peter Lidgitt. Peter has completed an impressive 20 acquisitions since the first lockdown, all while abroad in France. Peter is no stranger to acquiring companies out of administration and he uses his central back office staff to integrate new acquisitions quickly and leverages the cash flow of other companies within the group to support new acquisitions. But not all acquisitions go smoothly... enjoy the episode!

In this engaging discussion, Rob LeBlanc, Managing Partner of Ambit Partners, shares his journey from football to investment in emerging markets. He highlights the unique traits of 'maverick' searchers venturing into uncharted territories. The conversation delves into the $16 million fundraising for their inaugural fund and the attractive, uncorrelated asset class of search funds. Rob emphasizes the challenges and opportunities in South Africa's entrepreneurial landscape, along with strategies for connecting with investors and building robust search networks.

This week we have on Steve Ressler. Steve is a serial entrepreneur and PE SaaS executive in GovTech space with multiple exits to private equity firms including Vista Private Equity & strategic acquirers such as Motorola Solutions. Steve has also backed 30+ acquisition entrepreneurs around the globe. Steve is always happy to speak with searchers and share his insights, this conversation is a perfect example. Enjoy Join the Buy and Build community for a weekly newsletter on all the resources we find helpful! Sign up for Steve's monthly musings at bit.ly/etamusings

This week we have on John Andrews, an experienced solicitor and partner at JMW Solicitors who specialize in business sales and acquisitions. In the episode we discuss John’s proactive, problem solving approach to legal DD, as well as common red flags and risk mitigants that come up in small business acquisitions. If you would like to connect with John, you can reach out to him on LinkedIn. Join the Buy and Build community to get helpful resources and updates. Follow us on LinkedIn

Charlie Sharman, founder of Cantifix, has been pivotal in shaping the architectural glass landscape in the UK for over 30 years. He shares his journey from kitchen installations to pioneering major glass projects, emphasizing the challenges of family business dynamics. The conversation delves into exciting collaborations with Oxford University on the benefits of daylight for well-being, alongside plans for wellness retreats. Sharman also discusses the intricacies of succession planning and the evolving role of leadership, reflecting on meaningful client relationships built over decades.

This week we have on Neil Dalyrmple, founder of Merlin Scott Associates (MSA). MSA specialises in producing Industry Analysis Reports covering 1000+ different sectors of UK industry, without replying on SIC codes. If you are looking to acquire within a specific sector or would like to compare yourself to competitors within your sector, these reports and the recently launched USP tool may be an option.

Joe Steigman, a former US Army logistics officer and MBA graduate, shares his inspiring journey from military service to entrepreneurship. He candidly discusses the challenges he faced while raising a search fund, especially during the pandemic, and the tough decision to pivot towards launching a logistics business. Steigman highlights the importance of resilience, adaptability, and effective remote team management in his entrepreneurial endeavors. His insights emphasize the significance of logistics experience in building a successful company in a competitive landscape.

This week we speak with Sean Brophy, UK country manager at Caple. Caple, are lenders focused on SMEs and have recently begun offering a term loan option for management buy-ins. Sean goes into the details on what they look for in both the buyer and the company; and how they overlay qualitative judgement alongside the more quantitative metrics. Join the Buy and Build community

Ahmed Raafat, founder of Giza Capital Partners and Egypt's first search fund, shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey that began with a biofuel startup. He discusses the hurdles of raising capital in emerging markets, emphasizing the need for local expertise to attract investors. The conversation dives into the sectors ripe for investment in Egypt, like healthcare and logistics, while highlighting the importance of trust and relationships in closing deals. Ahmed's unique experiences showcase the complexities and opportunities within the Egyptian business landscape.

In this week's episode we speak to Daniel Beaumont. Daniel has gone from consulting, to running his family's textile business, eventually exiting the business, and is now building a portfolio of companies via acquisition. We go into the details of why he transitioned from the corporate world in London to taking over the family business. Lastly, we discuss his acquisition approach now, the key ways he has found success in sourcing and structuring deals, and his advice on managing people and hiring.