You only sell your company once!

Although many vendors of family companies do retain a small shareholding or an on-going non-executive directorship, for most family shareholders the decision to sell the company which they founded or which bears the family name will signify the end of an era.

Martin Greenshields has been through this process. His family company, George H Cook & Co Ltd, was sold to the Italian steel business, Cogne Group, and he managed the sale on behalf of his family shareholders.

We know that family shareholders are very often motivated by the desire to find the right "home" for their company and its employees as well as the highest bidder. We are sensitive to this and the highest bid doesn't always win. You may even wish to sell your company to the management team, or to the younger generation of family members, in a management buy out. This may not realise the same price as a trade sale as the price that the management can bid will be influenced, at least in part, by the debt capacity of the company's balance sheet, but it may present a neat solution which will allow a seamless transfer of ownership.

HTML can bring this expertise to the sale of your family company. HTML has led the sale of many family companies and we can advise on the advantages and disadvantages of each type of sale in your particular case. Please feel free to contact us.