FAQs
- I am considering selling but need to know more?
- What are the different factors involved in selling my company?
- Can you offer purchase advice?
- How long does it take to sell?
- What information do you need from me?
- How do you stop competition, customers, suppliers and staff finding out about my proposed sale?
- How do you value a company?
- Are you an independent broker?
- What are the tax implications when selling?
- Are you linked to any other organisations?
- What are the advantages of using Diverco?
- What areas and sectors do you cover?
- What do you charge?
- I do not need a broker to sell my company. I can do it myself.
- How long has Diverco been established?
- How are meetings managed?
- What size companies do you deal with?
- Can Diverco help with funding support for purchasers?
- I am not looking to sell now but in the distant future, when is the best time to contact Diverco?
- How do I find out more and what is the next step?
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I am considering selling but need to know more?
Planning and timing are key. An old adage says, "The best time to sell is when you don't have to". However ideally purchasers want to see room for growth based on an historic profit - sales curve. Even in today's uncertain markets there are still plenty of buyers and fair prices to be obtained. Talk to Diverco about all the implications at no cost or obligation.
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What are the different factors involved in selling my company?
It is important to ensure total confidentially and to only tell a very minimum number of people. Obviously your company broker and accountant and co-directors but definitely not your staff, workforce, customers, suppliers and competition! The golden rule is to say absolutely nothing to anyone until you have something positive to announce. See Diverco article on "Matters To Be Addressed".
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Can you offer purchase advice?
Whilst our role is with the Vendor, but we can be helpful to purchasers by putting them in touch with established banking sources and advisory firms.
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How long does it take to sell?
The process of sale is often longer than one would wish, but one must allow up to a year for all the processes of meetings, offers, financial due diligence and legals.
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What information do you need from me?
Initially latest financials, business plan and any company product or services literature are helpful, but a face to face meeting is essential on a non obligatory cost basis to get a proper feel for the culture of the business. The people factor is crucial.
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How do you stop competition, customers, suppliers and staff finding out about my proposed sale?
Diverco has proven systems in place to ensure no one finds out and most discussions are held initially off site with previously cleared purchasers and following detailed confidentially undertakings being signed.
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How do you value a company?
The value of a company covers a number of factors, including maintainable future profits, market/customer base, ongoing quality of management etc. But probably the key is getting the right commercial fit and establishing the "need" factor from a purchasers standpoint.
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Are you an independent broker?
Diverco is one of the leading independent brokerage firms with no hidden agendas and established for over 30 years.
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What are the tax implications when selling?
Recent taper relief helps the sale process and the key issue is trying to ensure as much money is retained free of tax. It is not always what one initially gets that matters, but what one keeps net of tax.
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Are you linked to any other organisations?
Diverco is strictly independent but has excellent contacts within the banking, accounting, pension, tax and legal fraternity.
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What are the advantages of using Diverco?
Diverco has nationwide coverage with experienced Regional Directors. Above all we are a private company and can relate to ownership issues. Over 30 years experience also brings its benefits.
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What areas and sectors do you cover?
Experience in all sectors of activity with coverage throughout the whole of the UK and Ireland.
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What do you charge?
We are not a consultancy so do not clock hours. We are a result-based business and charge a standard brokerage scale-reducing fee based upon the final value obtained.
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I do not need a broker to sell my company. I can do it myself.
Some people do try to sell their companies themselves, but invariably this does not work, as confidentiality cannot be protected and importantly connections with serious purchasers are not known. Most vendors also do not have a feel for the market value of their company.
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How long has Diverco been established?
Diverco was established thirty-four years ago in 1968 by the present shareholders and Directors who had gained their experience some years previously within the M&A sector.
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How are meetings managed?
The people factor is crucial and all meetings are attended and managed by a senior Director, with a view to obtaining an offer and subsequently organising and controlling the sale process.
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What size companies do you deal with?
There is really no upper limit to the size of company within the SME market place served.
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Can Diverco help with funding support for purchasers?
Diverco has good independent funding connections to assist purchasers.
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I am not looking to sell now but in the distant future, when is the best time to contact Diverco?
It is never too early to start the planning process and this is very much part of the overall Diverco service, and we have many medium term clients who we continue to help/advise until the time is right to open up the sale process.
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How do I find out more and what is the next step?
A phone call, letter or email is all that is required to arrange an informal private meeting on or off premises. Total discretion and confidentially is guaranteed and there is no charge.
