The Business Exchange Bath & Somerset Issue 11: Spring 2019 | Page 17

A bespoke corporate advisory firm that was set up by accident and started around a kitchen table in 2011 is making its mark along the M4 corridor. Shaw & Co was founded by Jim Shaw when his then employer suddenly entered administration. He was just thirty but having seen a gap in the market for a boutique corporate finance firm locally, decided to launch his own firm. The core pillars of the business are corporate finance, scale-up funding and its latest offering debt advisory which was launched at the backend of 2018. The seven-strong team includes Nathan Morgan who heads up the scale-up practice and Alexei Garan who heads up the debt advisory division. Shaw & Co has been punching above its weight winning some enviable deals that would usually be expected to go to the big boys. Recent deals include selling Bristol-based Pukka Herbs to Unilever for an undisclosed sum and buying Vouchercloud from Vodafone and selling it to Groupon only 4 months later, the second deal being worth £46.7m. Talking about the firm’s recent successes Jim Shaw said, “I’m proud to say success is breeding success and word of mouth is growing our reputation. Our biggest debt is to our clients that recommend us. “It’s our largest transactions that get the headlines, but we work with a broad range of businesses. It’s all about finding the right solution for 0117 325 8510 the client, not the biggest deal. I think the key to our success is our purity of approach and independence to guide appropriately. Trust is the most important thing. We are usually dealing with the largest transaction of a client’s business life and probably their life entirely, so it’s paramount that we are capable, approachable and contactable.” Shaw & Co’s latest deal was for Marlborough- based Innecto on its sale to AIM listed Personal Group Holdings PLC (known as Personal Group) in a deal worth £3m. Discussing Shaw & Co’s ambition for the future Jim said,“Our plan is to grow significantly. We have an offer that’s resonating and would like to continue to push forwards. Not resting on our laurels, we’re a young team and have a rapid expansion plan for the next three years. Our initial focus is the South West, but we anticipate building a national firm over time.” [email protected] We believe in business being a force for good in society, so from the beginning it was very important to us to find an advisor who would keep our values at the top of the agenda. Shaw & Co have been excellent in helping us to find a partner and deliver a deal that will maintain our ethical and environmental promises. At every step of the journey, through the build-up to our sale, and in the subsequent acquisition by Unilever, Shaw & Co worked with us to protect and champion Pukka’s values and mission. They have helped us find the right home in Unilever, and to create an exciting future for Pukka Herbs. For purpose-led businesses in the South West seeking to grow I recommend Shaw & Co. TIM WESTWELL CEO and Co-founder of Pukka Herbs Shaw & Co have been key to helping us to achieve this fantastic result - throughout the process we have been impressed by their ideas, enthusiasm and the quality of service that we received. So much so that we will continue to work with them on developing the business in the coming years. For business owners like us seeking a long-term partner to help build their business I highly recommend speaking to Shaw & Co. SCOTT DAVIDSON Invitation Digital (Vouchercloud) www.shawllp.co.uk THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2019 17