Corporate Advisory

Our Corporate Advisory department have extensive expertise and experience in developing strategic plans and forecasts, raising capital for new and existing businesses, (including negotiating with the banks) and financial engineering. French Duncan Corporate Advisory (“FDCA”) advises clients on corporate finance deals and negotiates deals on their behalf.

Examples of the work undertaken by FDCA include the following:

Our corporate advisory activities cover the following wide range of disciplines:

Business Strategy and Planning

Efficient business planning is key for both new and established organisations. An assignment carried out in this area may help the business focus on the important issues both now and in the future. Requirements change, anticipation and action are always important. Our people are trained to exercise discretion, insight and vision. They can help determine missions, strategies and structures, bringing clarity of understanding, conviction and judgement to bear. Strategic workshops can be used to assist management in establishing strategic goals and routes to market.

Valuations

When selling a business, buying-out a shareholder or attracting a new investor, it is important to have the value impartially and professionally priced. Mastering valuation has become an essential skill for managers whenever they make strategic decisions. Value techniques can be customised and deployed across a range of markets and sectors in order to address institutional investors’ new approach to assessing economic value.

Fund Raising

Fund raising ensures adequate resources are available for business growth whether for short or long term planning. Expansive working relationships have been built over the years with organisations fundamental in the sourcing of commercial finance; grant bodies, top-rated banks, business angel syndicates and venture capitalists. This opens the way towards procuring competitive credit facilities and developing a suitable funding mix including Regional Selective Assistance (“RSA”).

Negotiating Bank Facilities

Negotiating bank facilities with a professionally prepared business plan or cash flow projections to secure the right level of funding.

Restructuring and Refinancing

Restructuring and refinancing advice can allow an ailing business to recover its market position or provide an opportunity to increase productivity and efficiency.

Acquisitions, Disposals and Mergers

Making the right move at the right time can be the key to success. We can help to get the best price for the seller or the best deal for the buyer. From the outset we can develop the strategy, examine the options and assist with approach tactics. We provide advice on a full range of deal routes and financing mechanisms to help complete the deal, including management buy-outs, buy-ins, strategic or non-core moves and joint or corporate venturing.

Due Diligence

Due diligence investigations are a necessary an important element of any business acquisition or financing rounds. A well-delivered report provides the appropriate support information and underpins the winning of backers’ confidence. We can also assist in the areas of pre-investment due diligence or post-investment monitoring on behalf of institutionally managed private equity funds and other investors.

Asset and Project Finance

FDCA can arrange development, investment and operating finance for multi-million pound asset-backed and project-based situations. We can act as lead financial adviser to private, corporate & consortia developers, investors and operators both in the private sector.

If you would like more information about any FDCA’s services please contact Graeme Finnie or Euan Ferries.