Gambit Corporate Finance advisory enjoys record year
Gambit Corporate Finance has experienced the best 12 months in its 30-year history. The firm advised on deals worth a combined £300 million.
Established in 1992, Gambit Corporate Finance brands itself as the UK’s longest established independent corporate finance advisory firm. Specialising in mid-market transactions with enterprise value up to £50 million, in the UK and overseas, the firm boasts offices in London and Cardiff, and has built a track record in deal origination and execution.
On the back of bumper M&A activity in the last 12 months, the corporate finance boutique has enjoyed a record year.
Advising on 15 transactions during the year, the cumulative deal value supported by Gambit was in excess of £300 million. Transactions included company disposals, acquisition support, management/employee buy-outs, fundraising and refinancing assignments.
Geraint Rowe, Partner at Gambit, commented, “We are immensely proud of our talented team for their hard work and determined approach to maximising value for our clients. 2021 was a good for UK M&A activity with deal volumes exceeding 2020 by more than 30%, supported by widespread availability of low-cost capital and an ever-increasing desire to execute transactions.”
Among the biggest deals supported by Gambit was the sale of one of the UK’s largest learning providers, Motivational Preparation College for Training to Learning Curve (LCG). Adding a further 30 locations and 180 employees to LCG’s operations across England and Wales, the move established the largest military training organisation outside of the Ministry of Defence.
Other moves saw Gambit provide the British & Irish Lions strategic advice helping to secure committed debt facilities and contingency funding options to support the 2021 Tour of South Africa; and secure funding for Veezu, the UK’s largest multi-region taxi and private hire company, from MML Capital.
The consultancy also assisted the sale of Premier Forest Group’s Irish subsidiary, Premier Forest ROI to Northern Ireland headquartered Murdock Builders Merchants.
As Gambit enjoyed heightened demand, it took the opportunity to boost its capacity, with several new hires and promotions during the year. Wayne Harvey joined as Partner, having previously been Senior Partner at Deloitte.
Harrie Thorrington, Lloyd Evans and Menna Ward joined as Analysts, whilst Sam Forman was promoted to Director. The company was also awarded ‘Debt Adviser of the Year’ at the Finance Monthly M&A Awards for the second successive year – but Gambit will not be resting on its laurels, or slowing its growth in the coming year according to Rowe.
He concluded, “The firm continues to expand and we remain optimistic for the next twelve months and beyond, underpinned by favourable sectoral tailwinds, our valued and exciting clients, a strong pipeline and a growing team.”
