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Summary
A family business with a sale already in progress, a completion date closing in fast, and a two-week window to get the deal across the line. Wbg stepped in at the latter stages to assist on due diligence, undertake documentation review and agreement of final terms. The result being the deal was completed on time, on the right terms, with the tax position secured.
The situation
The shareholders of a family-owned recycling business had been negotiating a sale privately for some time. At the latter stages of the transaction, complexities came into play and they realised that, with an imminent deadline approaching, they required professional assistance to get the deal across the finish line.
With the clock already running, the risks were clear. If the process wasn’t handled well – if due diligence stalled, documentation fell short, or terms weren’t properly scrutinised – the sale could fall through or be delayed, with direct consequences for the net proceeds and the tax outcome for the sellers.
The approach
From the point Wbg was engaged to completion, our team had two weeks. This deal was given absolute priority.
Business advisory and tax worked in close coordination, alongside the client’s broker and legal advisers, to cover the ground that remained. Due diligence was concluded, documentation reviewed, final terms negotiated, and the completion accounts basis agreed. Every decision was shaped around what was right for these shareholders specifically, not a standard process applied at pace.
The outcome
The deal completed on schedule. The shareholders achieved a successful exit with their tax position determined and the timeline with the buyer held throughout.
The company moves forward under new ownership, and the relationship with the individuals continues. Wbg is now supporting them in a personal capacity as they plan for life beyond the business.
The key takeaway
A business sale is one of the most consequential decisions a founder makes. Staying calm under pressure, while remaining attuned to what the client is experiencing and wants, matters as much as the technical delivery. Getting them over the line was the job – and understanding the weight of what they were going through was what made it possible to do it well.
More information
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