Supporting owners and leadership teams of Business Services companies to maximise value
The Business Services industry is large, diverse, complex and needs to evolve - significantly so in some instances. But many companies are inundated with short-term operational challenges that demand immediate attention. Business leaders often lack the necessary time, resource and expertise within their teams to effectively address longer-term strategic priorities and transformational needs. This imbalance hinders value creation - a problem that is more acute now given the cost of capital has risen. We are here to help.
Transformation through partnership
We are passionate about facilitating the flow of capital to enable transformational change - intelligently, responsibly and sustainably. We help owners and CEOs to achieve their vision and maximise value creation within their companies. We believe long-term relationships and a precise alignment of interests are critical to driving successful outcomes.
Services
Buy-side
We help originate M&A ideas in addition to providing strategic advisory and due diligence support throughout any process. This includes detailed industry and competitor analysis, an assessment of business models and value creation levers, as well as understanding exit optionality and valuation implications.
Strategy and transformation
We support our clients in defining their vision and the strategic journey to get there. We help identify those key blockers that are undermining the effectiveness of the organisation and build transformation roadmaps to deliver change. This includes a detailed consideration of the target operating model - at a group, divisional or functional level.
We seek to ensure strategic theory becomes operational reality by staying the course and advising on execution. In so doing, we help create sustainable improvements in ways of working and operational performance.
Sell-side
We help existing shareholders and management teams prepare for ownership change, bringing the purpose, vision and strategy to life. We help script an evidence-based equity story that is crisp, credible and readily understood, creating inspiration, trust and buy-in amongst prospective owners.
People
Nick Ward
Most of Nick’s 30-year career has been spent in-and-around Business Services companies. He has viewed the sector in detail through multiple lenses, giving him a unique perspective and a wealth of insights. He has built a clear understanding of how companies increase their chances of maximising value creation for all stakeholders.
Nick spent 20 years within Investment Banking, in Equity Research, Equity Sales and Equity Advisory. He then pivoted into industry, spending almost a decade at ISS A/S in Finance (Head of Investor Relations), Commercial (Head of Group Strategy, Marketing, Communications) and Operations (SVP, Global Key Accounts).
Nick led two major strategic reviews for ISS and implemented a rebranding project across the organisation. Most recently, he had full responsibility for the P&L, strategy implementation and operations at ISS’s largest global customer, and the flagship contract within the company’s portfolio.
Prior to ISS, Nick was a Partner at Lilja & Co. (where he still serves as a Senior Advisor) and a Managing Director at Deutsche Bank. He was both a top-ranked analyst and specialist salesperson covering the Business Services sector. He also helped originate, advise on, and execute numerous IPOs.