Entrepreneur chalks up trio of stock market deals

Entrepreneur Mark Mills has chalked up a hat-trick of stock market deals for North West companies in just over six months with AIM-listed IMImobile’s £15m acquisition of Macclesfield-based Healthcare Communications UK.

Mills joined the board of of the healthcare communications company as chairman in 2015 and stood down following its sale which was announced yesterday (Thursday, December 7).

He was chairman of Warrington-based pipeline inspection equipment specialist Mini-Cam from 2012 until its sale last month to FTSE 250 giant Halma for up to £85m.

Mills is currently chairman of Velocity Composites, which makes advanced composite products for the aerospace industry. He led the Burnley-based company’s flotation in May this year.

He said the deals demonstrate the “enduring appetite for strong North West businesses” among UK-listed companies and London-based funds, and he believes that their enthusiasm is growing.

“We are fortunate that the North West is full of businesses built on firm foundations and which lead the markets in their sectors,” he said.

“It’s little wonder that they are in high demand. Currently it looks like a feeding frenzy but, in truth, only companies which are highly-prepared, present themselves extraordinarily well and have tested their business models are attracting high premiums.

“There remains a strong appetite and 2018 looks set to be very interesting. I would encourage business owners to consider the advantageous capital gains tax rate of 10 per cent under the Entrepreneurs’ Relief scheme alongside the wall of money looking for deals.”

The Lancashire entrepreneur runs the Mark Mills Partnership advising privately-owned companies on their growth strategies and efficiency improvements to help drive their value.

He said: “I’ve had a busy year with three major transactions completed successfully, all with a stock market aspect.

“It proves that there is continued interest in North West businesses which have properly prepared themselves, using my proven process and extensive contacts, to undertake some form of transaction – be that a trade sale, private equity investment or flotation.”