TC Group may be a new name to the local market, but behind the brand is a long-established Northamptonshire business advisory and accountancy firm that provides clients across the region with a comprehensive range of services and expertise.
Established in Northamptonshire as Haines Watts back in 1986, the firm’s continued growth and expansion saw it become Fortus in 2020, before merging with UK-wide TC Group, the fastest growing Top 25 Accountancy Age firm, in July last year.
Its Northampton office is home to TC Group’s award-winning Corporate Finance team. Headed up by Patrick Faughnan, the team specialises in mergers and acquisitions (M&A), delivering a first-class service to those going through one of the most complex, and often most challenging, times in the life cycle of a business.
Recognition of that level of service came last year in the form of the prestigious Insider Central and East of England Dealmaker Awards 2023, when TC Group was named Corporate Finance Advisory Firm of the Year, ahead of some of the biggest names in the industry, including a number of top 10 accounting and advisory firms. It was some achievement and one the team are quite rightly proud of.
The judges highlighted not only the complexities of the transactions and the increase in volume of deals, but also the firm’s investment in its Corporate Finance team and the support the team offers to business owners to help them achieve their often-ambitious plans.
Patrick said:
“The recognition that brought meant a great deal to us, these are the leading awards in the industry, and we were up against some major firms across the region.
“Our strength’s in the number of service lines we offer. As the Corporate Finance team, we can call on colleagues in Tax, HR, Property, VAT and Audit, so we can support our clients through the various options open to them, whether they’re buying, selling or exiting a business, acting as lead advisors with a vast range of specialisms to call on as and when we need them.”
Local collaborations
The TC Group Corporate Finance team has completed 30 M&A projects in the past year, ranging from £3m to £40m, with an average equity value of £10m. Highlights include supporting the sale of Wellingborough-based cable assembly manufacturer Raffenday to TTI Europe; the sale of London-based typographer Colophon Foundry to global typeface leader Monotype; and the acquisition of Beyond Networks, an outsourced IT support company, by Digital Origin, in addition to a number of financial due diligence projects for the expanding Northamptonshire-based day-nursery provider Kindred Education.
Paula Carter, Associate Director at TC Group, said:
“As Corporate Finance advisors, we’re sector agnostic and keen to remain as such. Northamptonshire’s such a diverse market and we complement it well. Being on the patch is important to us, not only making it easier to develop relationships with local businesses, but we also firmly believe nothing quite beats that in-person meeting.
“That applies to collaboration with other professionals too. TC Group has 11 locally based specialist services, and we regularly ‘white label’ our offering, including M&A, to other business advisory and accountancy firms both locally and nationally. We also understand the value of building relationships with local lawyers, banks and alternative lenders, and our clients have the confidence that we are well-connected, respected and closely linked with other stakeholders.”
Patrick added:
“One thing that’s concerning our clients at the moment is the political landscape and what effect the general election result might have on factors such as Capital Gains Tax and business legislation. What’s clear is that forward planning’s important, whatever the timescale, and it’s never too early to start thinking about the future – considering the tax elements, property issues, legal contracts, employee issues and more.”
Do you know your options?
Key to the team’s offering is a personalised Options Report for clients interested in understanding what their business is worth and what an exit may look like; coupled with a deeper appreciation of the commercial, financial and transactional risks and benefits of alternative exit options. This provides a valuable foundation for exploratory discussions between their corporate finance specialists and the business owner to help them decide what’s best for them, their business and their employees.
Paula added:
“A lot of businesses we act for are family owned, or ones built on long-term friendships, and as such, seeking external professional advice can help take the emotion out of a situation, meaning these relationships remain intact. Whether you’re buying or selling, it’s a complex process. So, knowing you have the support of professionals who have everything covered and are acting in your best interest is a massive weight off a business owner’s shoulders.”
Stephen Watts, Managing Partner at TC Group added:
“We’re very proud our Corporate Finance team has been recognised with one of the biggest awards in the industry.
“We’re one of the largest professional services firms in Northampton and have many long-established relationships within the local market, something that’s made easier by actually having an office in town. We’ve also got extensive networks across the country which have further increased now we’re part of TC Group, which enhances our buyer reach.
“There’s definitely been a shift in recent years, with business owners thinking more about longer term planning. Their business is often their most valuable personal asset, so it’s only right they understand what this could be worth and what their options may be to realising this. Our Options Report includes a valuation by expert professionals which is always a useful starting point and there will always be plenty of options available, so I’d strongly recommend business owners contact Patrick or Paula in the first instance.”
Find out more at www.tc-group.com or call 01604 746760.
