“Over the course of the sale of our business we worked with several members of the team at Corbett Keeling. They were all excellent – showing strength in depth and breadth. The care and attention they put into advising us, and their skill in finding a buyer and dealing sensitively with all the parties involved in the transaction, were outstanding.”

STEVE AND JULIE HILL, FOLLOWING THE SALE OF HARRIS HILL TO A MANAGEMENT BUY-IN TEAM

“The team at Corbett Keeling was imaginative and resourceful in finding the best possible investor to finance the management buy-out of Towry Law Insurance Brokers. They also played a crucial role in negotiating with the vendors and providing general guidance on the legal and financial intricacies of the deal. They were always available and responsive. It was a pleasure to work with them.”

MARTIN WRIGHT, CORBETT KEELING'S CLIENT AND LEADER OF THE BUY-OUT TEAM

“Corbett Keeling were my financial advisers on the successful management buy-out of BigHead Bonding Fasteners Ltd. Their advice throughout the transaction was excellent; they have very good access to both equity and debt funds, and played a crucial role in negotiating detailed funding terms. CK also provided invaluable help in reaching agreement with the vendor on price, and their sector expertise was a key factor in consummating the deal.”

BRIAN GIDDINGS - MANAGING DIRECTOR, BIGHEAD BONDING FASTENERS LTD

“Corbett Keeling advised us on restructuring the funding of Opus Holdings. They were particularly helpful in discussions between the company, its private equity backers, and its senior debt and mezzanine funding providers. They then advised management on exit strategies which led to a successful exit from the business.”

BOB BAREHAM, FINANCE DIRECTOR, OPUS HOLDINGS

“Corbett Keeling came up with solutions for us where others could not find them. Their access to funding is excellent and their determination to get our deal completed in a tight time-frame was vital in achieving a successful outcome. What is more, we thoroughly enjoyed working with them”

JENS PEDERSEN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE, EFFICIO

“I have worked with Corbett Keeling on a number of projects and the team is always efficient and responsive. Importantly, they have very good access to sources of funds, whether for equity or debt.”

MARK PATTLE, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF GLENCAIRN

“We have been deeply impressed by the integrity, tenacity and intellectual quality of your actions … your commitment and time input have been impeccable … working with you has been a first class experience and your support has been much appreciated … I hope we can continue a business relationship in the future.”

DOUGLAS BLAUSTEN, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF OAKBURN PROPERTIES PLC, COMMENTING ON CORBETT KEELING’S ROLE IN THE BUY-OUT OF OAKBURN IN A CONTESTED TAKEOVER

“John Herring has advised me on the pros and cons of a number of transactions. His assistance and advice are always timely and to the point, and it is a pleasure to work with him. His help on the acquisition of Edinburgh Woollen Mills was vital to the success of that transaction.”

PHILIP DAY, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF EDINBURGH WOOLLEN MILLS, COMMENTING ON ITS PURCHASE FROM RUTLAND TRUST IN A SECONDARY BUY-OUT FUNDED BY BANK OF SCOTLAND INTEGRATED FINANCE

“Corbett Keeling helped us arrange a change of ownership at Gieves & Hawkes, with the controlling shareholder buying out the minority. We thoroughly enjoyed working with the firm and were particularly pleased with the efficient and cost-effective nature of their approach.”

MIKE NICHOLSON, CHAIRMAN GIEVES & HAWKES

“Corbett Keeling identified a buyer for our business with pin-point accuracy. Many thanks for helping us to achieve a profitable end to our eight year period of owning and developing Interframe.”

WARRICK BUTLER, FORMER MANAGING DIRECTOR OF INTERFRAME

“Corbett Keeling advised Linguaphone on raising development capital over three successive funding rounds. It was the lead financial adviser on these transactions, providing necessary continuity throughout and ensuring a good balance of shareholders.”

GORDON POWER OF INFLEXION LTD, ONE OF LINGUAPHONE’S PRINCIPAL INSTITUTIONAL BACKERS

“Corbett Keeling advised the owners of GB International on a phased exit. First, they introduced us and then they helped funds we manage and the original owners exit, handling a delicate ‘single buyer auction’ to an overseas purchaser with great skill. We are grateful both for the introduction to the investment and for the continuity they provided.”

PHIL CAMMERMAN, EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN, YFM PRIVATE EQUITY

“Corbett Keeling advised us on a series of transactions, including a de-merger and two investments, leading to the successful disposal of Chivers. The service provided was always to the highest standard, with integrity, commitment and continuity.”

SIMON GIBBS, FORMER MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CHIVERS COMMUNICATIONS

“Financial advisory firms have a critical role ... They introduce companies that are not simply investment ready, but investment grade ... Too many unadvised deals are excessively risky or simply not viable. It is, therefore, essential to invest in transactions that involve adequately remunerated advisers.”

MARK WIGNALL, CHIEF-EXECUTIVE, MATRIX PRIVATE EQUITY PARTNERS

“A million thanks to the team at Corbett Keeling for all your heroic efforts on our behalf … in the words of Harold Macmillan 'No-one could have tried harder, no-one could have been more persuasive …'”

BORIS JOHNSON, MP FOR HENLEY-ON-THAMES

“Simon Keeling acted as our expert witness in a very complex professional negligence action. We asked him to consider a number of fund-raising matters, including the way in which one would go about attracting investment into a substantial overseas telecoms project. Simon’s input – in particular, his ability to translate arcane issues into comprehensible reports to be placed before a Court – was most impressive and was greatly appreciated by both the client and the legal team”

TIM BULLIMORE, SQUIRE & CO, SOLICITORS

 

Completed Transactions*

efficio

debt funded equity release

Corbett Keeling
advised efficio
on this transaction
2008

CONSULTING 
Taut International
BVI


has been sold to
A.G.Barr p.l.c.

Corbett Keeling advised Taut on this transaction
2008

DRINKS 
Keswick Enterprises

has acquired Link Logistics Group


Corbett Keeling advised Keswick
2008

LOGISTICS 
Keswick Enterprises

has arranged an acquisition finance facility

Corbett Keeling advised Keswick
2007

LOGISTICS 
 
Healthcare Enterprise Group plc

has sold its subsidiary
CICS to Trycare

Corbett Keeling advised
Healthcare Enterprise
2007

HEALTHCARE 
Tysers

Management
buy-out

Corbett Keeling advised on this transaction
2007

INSURANCE BROKING 
Expamet

has been acquired from Royal Bank of Scotland by a management buy-in team

Corbett Keeling advised the MBI team
2007

ENGINEERING 
I2r Packaging Solutions

has raised
development capital

Corbett Keeling advised
I2r Packaging
2007

LOGISTICS 
 
Creative Metal Coatings

has raised development capital from EPIC Investment Partners

Corbett Keeling advised
Creative Metal Coatings
2007

SPECIALIST COATINGS 
Harris Hill

has been sold to a management buy-in
team backed by YFM Private Equity


Corbett Keeling advised the
shareholders of Harris Hill
2007

RECRUITMENT 
WestawayGillis

has been sold to
WPP Group Plc

Corbett Keeling advised
the shareholders of
WestawayGillis
2007

HEALTHCARE COMMUNICTIONS 
Dernier & Hamlyn

has raised acquisition funding from Endless LLP and acquired Tindle Lighting

Corbett Keeling advised Dernier & Hamlyn
2007

SPECIALIST LIGHTING 
 
WaterRower (UK) Limited

has been sold to its senior manager

Corbett Keeling
advised WaterRower and its shareholders
2007

EXERCISE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER 
Allco Finance

Merger and listing on the Australian Stock Exchange

Corbett Keeling advised on valuation
2006

FINANCIAL SERVICES 
Satec

has raised development capital

Corbett Keeling advised Satec
2006

WATER 
Convergence
vs
Chantrey Vellacott


Corbett Keeling acted as
expert witness

2006
TELECOMS 
 
CBS Insurance

has sold
CBS General Partner and
CBSICP Capital

Corbett Keeling advised
CBS Insurance
2006

INSURANCE 
Towry Law Insurance

has been sold for £12.5 million in a management buy-out funded by Broker Network plc

Corbett Keeling advised the management team
2006

INSURANCE BROKING 
BigHead Bonding Fasteners

has been sold to a management team backed by EPIC Investment Partners

Corbett Keeling advised the management team
2006

SPECIALIST MANUFACTURING 
Airsprung Furniture
Group plc


A minority shareholding has been sold

Corbett Keeling advised the minority shareholder
2005

FURNITURE MANUFACTURE 
 
Explore Learning

has raised
development capital

Corbett Keeling advised
Explore Learning
2005

EDUCATION PROVIDER 
Find.co.uk

has been sold to a management team backed by Electra Quoted Management and FF&P Private Equity

Corbett Keeling advised the management team
2005

MORTGAGE SEARCH ENGINE 
BUPA Healthcare Professionals

has been sold for £10 million to
a management team and
Rutland Partners

Corbett Keeling advised
the management team
2005

HEALTHCARE 
Opus

has been sold to Willis


Corbett Keeling advised
the Opus management team
2004

INSURANCE BROKING 
 
Opus

has refinanced
£7 million
mezzanine and senior debt

Corbett Keeling
advised Opus
on this transaction
2003

 
Opus

has refinanced
£15 million equity, mezzanine and
senior debt

Corbett Keeling advised
Opus on this transaction
2002

 
Opus

has refinanced
£8 million mezzanine and senior debt

Corbett Keeling advised
Opus on this transaction
2001

 
Oakburn Properties plc

has been taken
private in a contested takeover
valuing it at £9 million

Corbett Keeling advised the bidder on the takover
2004

PROPERTY OWNER 
 
Grosvenor
Land Holdings


has been
acquired by Terrace Hill Ltd for £10 million in a recommended bid

Corbett Keeling
advised Terrace Hill
2004

PROPERTY OWNER 
Ashley House

has raised and
refinanced equity
and debt


Corbett Keeling
advised Ashley House
2004

DEVELOPER OF DOCTORS' SURGERIES 
Glencairn
(then named Glendrand)

has been acquired
for £8 million by
its management

Corbett Keeling advised
the management of Glencairn
2003

INSURANCE BROKING 
Interframe

has been sold to Shepley, a business backed by ECI

Corbett Keeling
originated this transaction
2003

MANUFACTURERS OF UPVC WINDOW FRAMES 
 
Aspace Solutions

has raised equity funding and sold a minority stake


Corbett Keeling advised Aspace Solutions
2003 and 2000

BANKING SOFTWARE 
ALSTHOM

£111 million sale
and leaseback of
UK industrial
manufacturing facility

Douglas Blausten, an
associate of Corbett
Keeling, advised on
this transaction
2003

ENGINEERING 
Binns & Co

has raised equity funding
and acquired Winningtons

Corbett Keeling advised
Binns & Co
2003

PUBLIC RELATIONS 
Edinburgh
Woollen Mills


has been acquired
for £71 million
in a secondary MBO

John Herring, an associate of Corbett Keeling, advised on this transaction
2002

RETAILER OF CLOTHING 
 
Gieves & Hawkes

Recommended cash offer for Gieves & Hawkes, valuing the company at £8 million

Corbett Keeling advised the independent directors of Gieves & Hawkes
2002

MENSWEAR RETAILER 
Gieves & Hawkes
(then named the
Gieves Group)


Demerger of Chivers Communications from Gieves & Hawkes

Corbett Keeling
advised Gieves & Hawkes
1999

 
Tenzing Communications

has raised $85m

Ian Langley, an associate of Corbett Keeling, worked on this transaction while at Tenzing
1999-2002

TELECOMS 
Towergate

Various acquisitions

Douglas Young, an associate of Corbett Keeling, worked on these transactions while at Towergate
2000-2002

INSURANCE 
 
Fractus

has raised £6 million equity funding from Apax and 3i

Graham Maile, an associate of Corbett Keeling, advised Apax as a director of Plextek
2002

WIRELESS TELECOMS TECHNOLOGY 
British Land

has acquired FRP
for £13 million

Corbett Keeling originated this transaction
2002

PROPERTY OWNER 
Bentleys

has raised/restructured equity and debt funding

Corbett Keeling advised Bentleys
2002

CONFECTIONERY DISTRIBUTOR 
Bentleys

has been accquired by a buy-in team and raised equity and debt funding

Corbett Keeling advised Bentleys
2000

 
 
Linguaphone

has raised
equity funding

Corbett Keeling advised Linguaphone
2002

LANGUAGE TRAINING 
Linguaphone

has raised equity funding

Corbett Keeling advised Linguaphone
2000

 
Linguaphone

has raised
equity funding
and restructured debt

Corbett Keeling advised Linguaphone
1999

 
Radiant Networks

has raised
£11 million
in new B Preferred
Ordinary Shares

Corbett Keeling advised Radiant Networks
2002

DEVELOPERS OF TECHNOLOGY FOR BROADBAND TRANSMISSION OF DATA VIA FIXED WIRELESS MESH NETWORKS 
 
Radiant Networks

has raised
£6 million as a convertible loan

Corbett Keeling advised Radiant Networks
2001

 
Radiant Networks

has completed a £12 million equity funding round


2000
 
Radiant Networks

has raised
£4 million equity

Corbett Keeling advised Radiant Networks
1998

 
Radiant Networks

has raised
start up funding

Corbett Keeling advised Radiant Networks
1997

 
 
Shipserv

has raised equity funding

Corbett Keeling
advised Shipserv
2002

SOFTWARE FOR THE SHIPPING SECTOR 
iDCorp

has raised equity funding


Corbett Keeling
advised iDCorp
2002

SOFTWARE FOR TRACKING AND TRACING GOODS AND ASSETS 
Brackley Investments

a minority stake
has been sold

James McGrigor an associate
of Corbett Keeling advised
on this transaction
2002

DEVELOPER OF DOCTORS' SURGERIES 
AVIVA

Acquisition for in excess of £50m

Simon Poole, associate of Corbett Keeling, advised on this transaction
2001

INSURER 
 
GB International

has been sold to MultiVision Gmbh

Corbett Keeling advised
GB International
2001

DISTRIBUTION OF HI-TECH PRESENTATION EQUIPMENT 
GB International

has raised equity and debt with release of personal guarantees

Corbett Keeling advised
GB International
1997

 
WT Foods plc

£75 million
buy-out led by
Bridgepoint Capital

Corbett Keeling
advised a co-investor to
Bridgepoint Capital
2001

ETHNIC FOODS MANUFACTURER / WHOLSALER 
Euroceltic

has raised equity funding

Corbett Keeling advised Euroceltic Airways
2001

AIRLINE 
 
Chivers Communications

has been sold
to BBC Worldwide
for £9 million

Corbett Keeling
advised Chivers
2001

AUDIO BOOK PUBLISHER AND OWNER OF RELATED MEDIA 
Chivers Communications

Investment in
Didio Communications and Oneword Radio

Corbett Keeling
advised Chivers
2000

 
Chivers Communications

Introduction of
Chivers to OFEX

Corbett Keeling
advised Chivers
1999

 
Five Rivers

has raised
£4 million debt and
acquired a competitor

Corbett Keeling advised
Five Rivers
2001

SPECIAL CARE HOMES 
 
teg environmental

has raised equity funding


Corbett Keeling advised
teg environmental
2001

MANUFACTURERS OF COMPOSTING EQUIPMENT 
Medpointe

$408 million buy out
led by Carlyle Partners

Corbett Keeling advised a
co-investor to Carlyle Partners
2001

PHARMACEUTICALS 
Daisy & Tom

has raised
funding as a
convertible loan

Corbett Keeling
advised Daisy & Tom
2000

RETAILER OF CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS 
actif group

has raised equity
funding and been
introduced to AIM

Corbett Keeling advised
actif group
2000

BRANDED WOMENSWEAR WHOLESALER / RETAILER 
 
actif group
(then named db actif)

has raised equity and debt and issued
one A share
to Ted Baker plc

Corbett Keeling advised
actif group
1996 & 1995

 
actif group
(then named
dance bizarre)


has raised equity and debt funding

Corbett Keeling advised
actif group
1994

 
Virgincars.com
(then named drivingdeals.com)

has raised
£8 million equity

Corbett Keeling advised Virgincars
2000

ON-LINE MOTOR VEHICLE RETAILER 
CASEwise

has raised debt subject to shareholder guarantees

Corbett Keeling advised CASEwise
1998

DEVELOPER OF ENTERPRISE PLANNING SOFTWARE 
 
CASEwise

has raised equity funding


Corbett Keeling
advised CASEwise
December 1996

 
BCCP

has acquired
Berkeley Chauffeur Services

Corbett Keeling advised
on this transaction
1998

COURIER AND CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN CARS OPERATOR 
Apollo Underwriting

has been sold to Munich Re

Corbett Keeling advised
on this transaction
1997

INSURANCE UNDERWRITER 
The Aviation Department of Alwen Hough Johnson

has been sold to
The Sedgwick Group

Corbett Keeling advised on this transaction
1997

INSURANCE BROKER 
 
Advent Capital

has raised
£9 million equity

Corbett Keeling advised
on this transaction
1997

INSURANCE UNDERWRITER 
British Rail

has sold three
rolling stock companies
for £2.6 billion

Vincent Thompson, an associate of Corbett Keeling advised on this transaction
1995

TRANSPORT 

*To illustrate the experience of Corbett Keeling’s associates, the list of completed transactions includes one transaction on which each associate has advised independently of the firm.

 

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