Episode 10: Andy Strickland – Demystifying Private Equity
How the right investment partner can drive responsible, long-term value In this episode of the Unlocking Value podcast, John Howard speaks with Andy Strickland, Partner at Palatine Private Equity. Andy has spent more than a decade backing ambitious Professional Services founders and management teams, often at the point where external investment is being considered for […]
Episode 9: Richard Jones – The Paradox of Difference: How to Make Senior Hires a Success
Why senior hires so often fail – and how to make leadership transitions succeed In this episode of the Unlocking Value podcast, John Howard speaks with leadership coach and former consultancy partner Richard Jones about one of the hardest things to get right in professional services: senior leadership transitions. On paper, it sounds simple: bring […]
Episode 4: What Buyers Look For – And What Spooks Them
How investors assess value, spot risks and decide when to walk away In this episode, we look at how investors and advisors assess a business – and what can spook them. We’re joined by an investor, a corporate lawyer and a corporate finance advisor to talk about what builds confidence during a transaction – and […]
De-risking GCP’s investment in Cloudrock through operational DD
Leading UK PE firm Growth Capital Partners engaged Garwood to assess Cloudrock’s ability to execute its ambitious growth strategy ahead of a potential investment. Working within a tight three-week exclusivity period, we provided a comprehensive operational due diligence assessment, helping GCP make a confident investment decision.
Growing through acquisition at a UK charity
A UK-based charity engaged Garwood to support the acquisition of a complementary consultancy, ensuring a fair valuation, structured incentives and risk mitigation. Working closely with the charity’s financial, legal and due diligence teams, we structured a commercially sound deal that aligned with our client’s mission and long-term objectives.
Building investor confidence and a clear roadmap through operational DD
A UK-based private equity firm engaged Garwood to conduct operational due diligence on a £30-million turnover consultancy ahead of a potential investment. Working within a four-week timeframe, we provided a structured assessment of operational risks, opportunities and post-transaction improvement opportunities to support the firm’s growth ambitions.
Driving post-acquisition integration and efficiency with PSA
A leading UK-based pension administration provider engaged Garwood to support the rapid integration of a newly acquired actuarial consulting firm onto its existing Kantata PSA platform. Within a tight two-month timeframe, we provided expert guidance on platform configuration, data migration and process adoption, ensuring a smooth transition and enhanced operational consistency.