ICON66 – Volume 5
Welcome – Success Is About Who You Know
Name:
Alan Bristow,
CEO
Company: ICON
Mobile: +44
(0)7899 921
600
Email: alan@iconcorpfin.co.uk
When we set up ICON Corporate Finance nearly 5 years ago we were committed to the idea of offering a high quality corporate finance advisory business focused on the technology sector. While there were moments in 2002 when we questioned that commitment, we have remained resolute in our belief that there are still greater opportunities to start and build a high value business in technology than in any other sector.
It has been a challenging time, but we have retained our focus and the size of our team knowing that we would have deeper knowledge and be stronger for our commitment when the market turned. The first signs of recovery have been seen in the last few months, and if sustained, indications are that over the next 12 months we should see a good pick up in activity.
Much of our marketing effort in driving the ICON brand has been focused on our VC funding advisory business for high growth technology companies. We have built that part of the business into a market leader and have been named No 1 corporate finance advisers for technology companies and No 8 “powerbroker” in the UK; I am also reliably informed from a leading VC that ICON introduce more quality technology proposals that any other advisory firm.
We have
also achieved
considerable
success in
building our
M&A business,
focused on
the trade sale
of both technology
and service
sector businesses.
In the past
quarter we
have been particularly
active with
the sale of
Cleartone Telecoms
to
a management
buy-in team,
the sale of
data management
company Forvus
to RM Plc and
most recently
the sale of
Projectlink
Motivation
to The Grass
Roots Group
Plc. Activity
is picking
up, American
buyers are
back in town
and concept
stocks are
again listing
on the stockmarket.
This is the time that owners and owner/managers should be formulating plans for an exit, whether it be retirement or merely to realise an investment. You should be working with us, planning your exit and looking to groom the business for sale well ahead of the event.
We would welcome the opportunity to come and talk to you about any corporate finance opportunities that you may have. Call us.
Alan Bristow
alan@iconcorpfin.co.uk
