Dexterity Partners have over 60 years of continuous experience of selling owner managed and SME businesses.
We have a proven track record and a distinctive start to finish service to sell your business whereby we manage every stage of the process to create a streamlines and smooth process for owners.
Here is a selection of recently completed business sales, contact us for more information.
The Harte Group, a premier designer and bespoke manufacturer of retail displays and shopfitting products, has successfully completed a Management Buy Out (MBO) with Dexterity Partners acting as lead advisor.
For over 50 years, the Harte Group has provided innovative solutions for major brands, ranging from supermarket giants such as Aldi to luxury cosmetics displays in Selfridges. When the directors sought to realise shareholder value, Dexterity Partners worked closely with all stakeholders to assess strategic options. It was unanimously concluded that the existing management team possessed the experience, motivation, and vision required to lead the company forward.
The MBO was championed by Director Fraser Thomson, a 20-year veteran of the company. The deal ensures the continuation of the Harte Group’s legacy of success while establishing a clear, ambitious vision for the future.
A Unique ‘Inclusive’ Approach
As lead advisor, Dexterity Partners applied its signature end-to-end inclusive strategy, engaging all parties in the strategy and negotiations from day one. This collective method allowed for a holistic consideration of critical issues, including valuation, deal structure, and funding.
This “win-win” solution stands in stark contrast to the traditional MBO model, where buyer and seller advisors often negotiate separately on a “win-lose” basis. Dexterity Partner’s approach resulted in a more efficient, less confrontational process that delivered greater value for money—an outcome that worked for everyone.
Navigating Complexity
The transaction involved several complex legal elements, including family trust ownership, subsidiary shareholdings, and property reorganisation. These challenges were proactively managed in partnership with 3volution solicitors, who were involved from the very start—a standard practice in every Dexterity Partners mandate.
The funding structure was expertly designed by Dexterity Partners in collaboration with ABL Business and Allica Bank.
Stakeholder Reactions
Ian Hunter, head of the family business prior to the MBO, commented:
“I am delighted that the future of the family business is in the safe hands of the existing management team.”
Fraser Thomson added:
“This MBO will allow the Harte Group to maintain its strong customer relationships and continue providing innovative solutions well into the future.”
The successful completion of this deal is a testament to Dexterity Partners’ ability to manage the entire process from start to finish, providing a single point of contact to ensure everyone’s objectives were met.
At Dexterity Partners, we recently had the privilege of working with Sew Heart Felt Limited, a vibrant e-commerce business with a passion for sustainable, artisan-made gifts. Our role was to help the owners, Oliver and Sonia, shape a clear strategy for profitable growth, ensuring that their efforts and resources were directed toward the most impactful markets and channels.
Sew Heart Felt is no ordinary gift company. Based in the UK but operating on an international scale, the business collaborates with specialist artisans to create handmade, environmentally friendly felt products. Led by award-winning designer Sonia Spencer, the brand champions natural materials and craftsmanship, setting itself apart from the mass-produced, unsustainable products that dominate the market.
Our work focused on formalising the business model and clearly linking it to financial performance. By analysing the profitability of different markets and assessing the return on investment across marketing channels, we were able to segment opportunities with precision – identifying where growth could be accelerated and margins improved.
Alongside this, we recommended a framework of key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress, measure success, and give Oliver and Sonia the tools to make informed decisions as the business scales.
This structured approach not only supports day-to-day management but also builds confidence with suppliers, stakeholders, and lenders. A strong financial model and growth trajectory are essential foundations for any business seeking external support or funding to expand.
As a result, Sew Heart Felt is now firmly positioned as both “Fit for the Future” and “Fit to Grow.” With a strategy that balances short-term profitability and long-term value creation, the company is ready to continue delighting customers worldwide while staying true to its sustainable ethos.
Dexterity Partners were pleased to support Composite Prime Limited in conducting a strategic review, using our “Fit to Invest” approach, aimed at accelerating growth across its composite decking, fencing, and cladding product lines.
Working closely with the Composite Prime Board, we focused on identifying the company’s core strengths, refining the business model, exploring funding options, and building a clear go-to-market strategy to support the launch of its premium product range.
Working closely with Composite Prime’s Board, Dexterity Partners focused on identifying core strengths, refining the business model, exploring funding opportunities, and crafting a robust go-to-market strategy for the company’s premium product range. The result is a dynamic marketing and distribution framework that has already delivered significant early wins, including:
• Expanded Market Reach: Growth in the network of accredited installers and distributors.
• Strengthened Global Partnerships: A key collaboration with AZEK to roll out the “Elements” and “Boardwalk” product lines.
• Launch of the Designer Collection: Introduction of the premium “Redux,” “Elements,” and “Boardwalk” products, redefining modern outdoor living solutions0.
Charles Taylor, one of the directors and co-founders commented: “With Dexterity Partners’ support, we’ve made strategic appointments and launched targeted marketing campaigns for products like Redux and Elements, driving immediate impact and laying the foundation for sustained growth.”
The strategic approach has enabled Composite Prime to strike the balance between short-term performance and long-term value creation; an “ambidextrous” model often cited in leading business literature.
As a result, Composite Prime is now well positioned: Fit for the Future, Fit for Growth, and Fit for Investment.
About Composite Prime Limited
Composite Prime Limited is a leading provider of high-quality composite decking, fencing, and cladding solutions, known for its innovative and sustainable products that enhance outdoor living spaces worldwide.
Dexterity Partners is pleased to announce the successful sale of Reginald Maude Limited, a distinguished electrical contracting firm based in Halifax, West Yorkshire.
Established in 1923 and incorporated in 1936, Reginald Maude Ltd has been a cornerstone in the UK’s electrical contracting industry for over a century. The company has built a solid reputation for delivering bespoke electrical solutions across industrial and commercial sectors, including control panel design and build, structured cabling, testing, and inspection services. With a team of highly qualified engineers, Reginald Maude Ltd has consistently provided professional and reliable services to a diverse clientele.
The acquisition by a fast growing competitor in the sector marks a significant milestone in Reginald Maude Ltd’s history. This strategic move is expected to enhance the company’s growth trajectory and expand its service offerings.
Dexterity Partners served as the exclusive advisor to Reginald Maude Ltd throughout the transaction, providing comprehensive support across all five stages of the business sale process: preparation, buyer identification, negotiation, due diligence, and completion. Our integrated approach, in collaboration with our sister law firm, 3volution, ensured a seamless and efficient transaction, aligning with the best interests of all parties involved.
Award winning aluminium trade fabricator, Fentrade Limited, has been acquired by Aluminium Vision Limited in a move that will further strengthen Fentrade’s position as a producer of high quality commercial and residential frames.
The deal, originated and managed by business sale specialists Dexterity Partners and who have been instrumental in selling a number of owner managed businesses in numerous business sectors. Co-founder Dr Simon Brayshaw commented that his own past experience as CEO within the fenestration industry was invaluable in making the deal run smoothly. 3volution, provided all the legal services.
Former Managing Director and founder Chris Reeks is being retained by the new owners as a director to continue building on the work that began back in 2018 which was to make Fentrade an industry name for high quality well manufactured aluminium products backed up by an unrivalled service ethos.
“Fentrade has been a fantastic journey for me, working with my business partners to create a fabricator that has become renowned for service and quality” comments Chris.
“The share purchase by Aluminium Vision will enable myself and the Fentrade team to keep working closely with our existing customers while having the ability to secure additional growth with new customers and contractors”.
Director of Aluminium Vision, Matt Stephens, is equally as excited about the future for Fentrade: “Acquiring Fentrade is a very positive move for us as a company; we are bringing existing revenue streams into the business and more investment over the longer term which will further cement it’s position in the industry as the go-to fabricator for commercial and residential aluminium.”
Fentrade will continue to service it’s customers from its modern manufacturing facility in Newport, South Wales where it has plans to increase the workforce over the coming months. Manufacturing its product range using materials from respected industry names such as Aluk, VBH and Jack Aluminium Fentrade’s new owners will look to further enhance the offering to the customer base.
“Fentrade has a great reputation for quality and service within the industry” continues Matt, “and we’re looking forward to building upon this as we take the company to the next level on it’s fabrication journey”.
Make UK, one of the UK’s leading providers of employment law and HR services has announced the acquisition of Bhayani Law, a specialist law and HR consultancy based in Sheffield.
As part of its portfolio of high-quality business services, Make UK already provides advice to thousands of businesses across the UK, from FTSE100 companies and hallmark British brands through to innovative startups.
This acquisition forms part of an ongoing strategy to strengthen and grow Make UK’s employment law service regionally throughout the UK and’ to increase its customer base by acquiring one of the most exciting and dynamic specialist firms in the UK.
Furthermore, it also gives Bhayani Law access to a wide range of support and resources available from Make UK to grow its HR and employment law business to even more effectively support the business community in the South Yorkshire region.
Dexterity Partners were the lead advisors on the deal, from preparation, brokering the deal, all the way through to completion supporting each step of the way. Dexterity Partners were supported by their sister firm 3Volution who provided the legal advice on the deal.
Stephen Phipson, CEO of Make UK said:
“We are delighted to have acquired such a fast-growing, dynamic and successful business in Bhayani Law. Our leading employment law service is already best in class and is a critical part of our offering to manufacturers and other businesses of all sizes. This will help us broaden our reach and appeal.”
Jay Bhayani said:
“I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved in the ten years since the set up of Bhayani Law. To become part of Make UK is a heartwarming endorsement of our success. The collaboration will bring together our mutual strengths, allow more opportunities for my team, greater resources for our clients and enable us to achieve our growth ambitions.”
She also added that:
“It has been great working with Dexterity Partners who were an invaluable support throughout the entire sale process.”
Simon Brayshaw added: “It has been brilliant to see MAKE UK acquire Bhayani Law. Working with Jay from the very start has been a pleasure and it has been great to have achieved what we believe is a ‘win win’ deal for both parties involved, I look forward to seeing how they successfully develop together in the coming years”
Interactive Technical Solution Ltd (ITS) specialises in providing technical publications, Integrated Logistic Support, Training and other services to the UK MOD, the defence sector and prime engineering contractors. It has been established for over 20 years by co-founders Ian Birchall and Stephen Preston.
The business was integrated into Cohort PLC through its subsidiary Marlborough Communications (Communications and Intelligence division) who acquired 100% of Interactive Technical Solutions Ltd for a cash consideration. Marlborough Communications supplies cutting-edge intelligence collection, communications and robotic technology to the Armed Forces and Police.
Our “Fit to Sell” and “Fit for the Future” preparation enabled Stephen and Ian the founders to realise their shareholder value immediately and avoid having to accept any long term earn out or deferred payment. It also assisted in being able to very clearly demonstrate the various strengths of the business to the prospective buyers in an authentic and demonstrable way. Such as the process driven nature of the business instilled by the two founders, the positive future outlook of the business, the historical retention of clients and their relationships and collaboration with them as well as the long term nature of much of their work.
John Petty Services Ltd – known as JPS a print management company working with a portfolio of fashion, homes and lifestyle businesses across the UK with a heritage of over 150 years as a family company under the leadership of Bridget and John Petty was sold to PMG Print Management Group Ltd.
This transaction enabled the Petty family to realise the value of this business and facilitate the retirement of John Petty. Bridget said “consideration of our succession opportunities was critical. Therefore working with Dexterity Partners enabled a discrete process to be undertaken to find a partner who had similar values to our own was of the utmost importance.” This enabled the multiple objectives of value maximisation, continuation of our core values, client continuity and maintaining our talented team to take this business from strength- to-strength.” Mike Roberts, the owner of PMG said, “I am excited about working closely with Bridget Petty, who will remain as managing director, in growing our brands together.”
In addition Dexterity’s “Fit to Sell” preparation was critical to ensure commercial, legal and financial issues identified by the Buyers due diligence team could be immediately and positively resolved which had no impact on the initial value assessment. Similarly the “Fit for the Future” analysis identified the need to consider key future issues and build a sales bridge to support future earn out calculations which was always expected to play a part in any deal. The addressing of these issues prior to commencing the buyer search ensured a smooth transition process which avoided disruption of the business as is often seen as buyer information requests swamp day to day normal business actions.
Whilst no sales process is ever stress free the management of all stages from business preparation, buyer identification, marketing , Heads of Terms , due diligence and Sale and Purchase Agreement all undertaken our in house team rather than via multiple advisors (brokers, consultants, corporate finance and lawyers) allowed Dexterity to be the only required point of contact who managed the whole process from start to finish. In addition to this minimising the disruption to the directors it resulted in a cost effective value for money solution.
Dr. Simon Brayshaw explained that the “Fit to Sell” and “Fit for the Future” analyses are designed to preemptively identify potential concerns that prospective buyers might have, helping to address deal breakers or weed out unrealistic buyers. This proactive approach is a crucial factor behind Dexterity Partners’ perfect track record. For owner-managers, selling a business is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so thorough preparation is vital for a successful sale. This preparation is underpinned by Dr. Brayshaw’s practical doctorate research at Warwick Business School on “creating short-term profit and long-term value in Owner Managed Businesses,” combined with his personal experience of successfully buying, operating, and selling over 30 businesses across three decades.
Dexterity Partners are pleased to have been lead adviser to the largest individual shareholder on the sale of their equity stake in Winder Power.
The investment and management buyout at the historic Yorkshire manufacturer of power and distribution transformers was named as Insider’s Deal of the Month.
The company, which has been established for more than 100 years and employs 100 people at its 80,000 sq ft manufacturing facility in Pudsey, Leeds, supplies electrical handling equipment for the power industry, with customers including Thames Water, Euro Tunnel, ASDA and Drax.
Winder Power has benefitted from a significant increase in demand for its power generation and handling equipment and services with the switch to increased renewable energy generation across the UK over the last decade.
New Look Windows Limited a long established domestic and commercial installer of Windows, Doors and external building products has completed the partial sale of this family business.
Walter Lopacki the founder will remain as Chairperson with an equity involvement to support the new team make the next steps in the development of the business across the North of England. This will allow Craig Williams, Andy Parker and Trevor Shires as new shareholders develop its existing customer base. Walter Lopacki in his new role as Chairperson said, “it allows the business to take the next growth steps whilst maintaining customer and supplier relationships, so provide stability for employees and a clear future for all New Look Windows stakeholders.”
Walter noted “Dexterity Partners, led by co-founders; Dr Simon Brayshaw and Jonathan Priestley provided their unique start to finish advisory service for Owner Managers. This includes the unique “Fit to Sell” and Fit for the Future” initial preparation, financial analysis and legal services. This allows a cost-effective value for money solution with one adviser been able to project manage all stages. Dr Simon Brayshaw commented the “Fit to Sell and “Fit for the Future“ analysis identifies any issues and resolved at an early stage.
An owner manager selling their business often only has one chance, so investment in preparation is essential to a successful sale. This is made possible by Dr Simon Brayshaw’s practical doctorate research at Warwick Business School; “creating short-term profit and long-term value in Owner Managed Businesses” and own experience over 30 years of buying building and selling his own businesses.
Max Abraham Roofing Contracts established in 1961 is looking forward to the next 60 years serving the roofing market after completing the sale of this family business to an undisclosed private Investor. This will allow new owners working with the Abraham family, who remain in the business, to develop its existing customer base and expand its product range as new investment in sales and marketing is added to its long-established reputation for roofing products including an unrivalled in stock, hard to find reclaimed roofing tiles.
The joint managing director, Jez Abraham commented that the new investment, starting with a new website, would allow the family business to take the next step to growth with further investment in sales and marketing and product development to complement its unrivalled product knowledge. This will provide future opportunities for the existing team at CRP and attract customer from competitors unable to provide both product and hands on fitting experience.
Jez acknowledged the value of investing in Dexterity Partners utilising their unique Fit to Sell and Fit for the Future preparation. Jez noted “Dexterity Partners, led by co- founders; Dr Simon Brayshaw and Jonathan Priestley provided their unique start to finish advisory service for Owner Managers. This includes the unique “Fit to Sell” and Fit for the Future” initial preparation which addressed issues we only realised towards the end of the process and fortunately Dexterity Partners had already found solutions for these potential problems. This ensured a cost-effective value for money investment often too costly for smaller companies using multiple advisors including, sales brokers, accountants and lawyers all on a time basis not a fixed fee. Jez also added the preparation of the business for sale was critical to the later negotiations as it enabled them not to be surprised by buyer issues which otherwise would have resulted in the reduction in the original offer price. This enabled them to leave Dexterity Partners to manage the end-to-end sales process enabling them to continue to run the business.
Dr Simon Brayshaw commented that “The Fit to Sell and “Fit for the Future“ analysis identifies any issues a buyer may raise prior to marketing of the business. This has resulted in a 100% success rate at identifying buyers, due diligence and Sale and Purchase Agreement stages. An owner manager selling their business often only has one chance to sell, so investment in preparation is essential to a successful sale. This is made possible by Dr Simon Brayshaw’s practical doctorate research at Warwick Business School; “creating short-term profit and long-term value in Owner Managed Businesses”. This is coupled with his own personal experience of buying and selling over 50 businesses over 30 years.
We are delighted to announce that, on 4 January 2023, Headlam Group plc (“Headlam” or the “Group”) completed the acquisition of Melrose Interiors Ltd (‘Melrose’) and its parent company Birch Close Trading Ltd.
Melrose based in Bradford and trading for over 50 years is a specialist manufacturer, importer and distributor of rugs and associated flooring products. Melrose is the largest independent supplier to the UK online rug industry, and also has operations in third-party logistics, upcycling and recycling, and a sampling / pattern book department.
Melrose is led by Andy Murphy, who has been Managing Director since 2010, and his team of 45 people. Melrose brings a number of new larger customers to the Group, including major high street and online retailers, and specialises in both B2B and B2C fulfilment. By Melrose becoming part of Headlam, we can support each other to grow our business with this customer base.
Melrose also owns the award winning [RE]lay brand of recycled rugs. This brand not only offers fantastic value and design, but importantly stops waste product going to landfill. Launching and promoting more sustainable products is highly important to Headlam, and [RE]lay is a market leading environmentally friendly range.
Melrose website: melroseinteriors.co.uk
Relay website: relayrugs.co.uk
“I’m delighted to be joining forces with K3. We pride ourselves on
delivering a high-quality service and we can add greater value to our clients through the provision of K3’s broad range of advisory services. Businesses are facing unprecedented levels of financial hardship and we are now in an even stronger position to help businesses navigate the current economic storm.”
Dexterity Partners played a critical role in managing the complete sales process, from negotiation to legal completion. This enabled me to remain focussed on the business whilst having an experienced sounding board who understood all the issues. Dexterity Partners unique approach with a single point contact controlling the whole process, improved the final agreed value and terms of the deal.”
Michael Chamberlain, founder and director at Chamberlain & Co
Contact our team at Dexterity Partners today for assistance with selling your business, let us help you sell your business.