Benchmark on hiring drive amid deals success

CROSS-border M&A activity is fuelling  a growth spurt at Bolton-based Benchmark International.

Staff numbers at the business sale specialist, which has offices in the US, South Africa and Hong Long , along with its headquarters at Folds Point, Folds Road, have rose 35% to 100 in the year to the end of March, and are expected to double in the next to 12 to 18 months.

Although not disclosing figures Benchmark said its fee income rose 30% in the year with deals featuring US acquirers, including the sales of Sussex-based biogas treatment company PpTek and Worcestershire healthcare manufacturer Sterimedix, among the highlights.

Chief marketing officer Michael Lawrie said: “We are delighted with our successes over the last year. Our international reach, with US, EMEA, and Asia offices, allows us to take businesses to market globally, enhancing the opportunities for our clients by matching up the most-appropriate buyers with SMEs in the global mid-market.
 
“Business confidence across a range of global markets has increased in the last 12 months bringing greater commercial fluidity and we have capitalised on the excellent reputation of UK businesses on the international stage. By cultivating excellent relationships with acquirers, be they ‘usual suspects’, ‘synergistic’ or ‘wildcard’ acquirers, we have completed excellent deals for our clients.”
 
So far in 2015 Benchmark has advised on 17 deals.

Lawrie added: “Our results are improving year on year and, more importantly, our service is ever-evolving – we have expanded our workforce over the last two years and we aim to employ 200 deal makers and analysts within the next 18 months.”