Preparing a global consultancy for acquisition
Alongside our partners Bamburgh Capital, we combined deep financial insight and proactive negotiation planning to help our client secure a premium valuation in a complex global acquisition.
Challenge
Our client’s financial records were spread across multiple disconnected accounting entities and SharePoint environments, making it impossible to assess gross profit margins at a client level. This lack of clarity posed a serious risk to the valuation and deal momentum.
At the same time, the acquisition process itself was unfolding in a high-pressure environment. The global buyer brought intense scrutiny, fast-moving priorities, and high emotional stakes. The client needed support not only to organise and present their data, but to remain in control of the story and the outcome.
Solution
We began by rapidly consolidating financial data across multiple Xero entities, each with their own structures and reporting methods.
This included sourcing, engineering, and reconciling revenue and cost of sales data, as well as building employee-level cost models that covered salaries, pensions, bonuses, and benefits across a 12-month period. Individuals were then allocated to specific clients and projects to generate a clear view of profitability.
Working closely with Bamburgh Capital, we refined the final outputs to ensure clarity, transparency, and traceability — giving the buyer a robust and compelling financial picture.
In parallel, we helped our client lead the negotiation process with a forward-thinking strategy.
Drawing on experience selling to the same global buyer, we built structured negotiation planners that enabled scenario planning, quick adaptation, and confident decision-making.
We flipped the typical due diligence process by preparing targeted materials for each buyer interaction — from tax and marketing to strategic fit — ensuring our client could deliver their cohesive narrative and stay one step ahead.
Results
Secured a premium valuation through expert negotiation planning and proactive communication
Delivered detailed client-level profitability insights that strengthened our client’s valuation in negotiations with the buyer
Prepared leadership with clear gross margin data to identify high-value clients and eliminate loss-making relationships
Completed complex, group-wide financial in weeks - enabling a smooth acquisition process under extreme time constraints
Maintained deal momentum and emotional stability through a high-pressure process
Delivered a boutique advisory experience through senior-level involvement, fast decision-making, and a relentless focus on the client’s outcomes
