Telecoms and technology corporate finance firm, Knight Corporate Finance, has launched Knight Transaction Services, a sister business that will specialise in bespoke due diligence and related services. Knight Transaction Services will support owner managers, corporate acquirers, banks and private equity firms throughout the transaction process, offering a range of services including buy side due diligence, vendor due diligence and vendor assistance.
Hayley Brightmore, formerly a senior member of Grant Thornton’s North West Transaction team, will lead the operation. She is joined by associate directors, Erin Berry and Jennifer Serridge, who also join from branches in Manchester and Liverpool respectively.
The company will work with corporates and PE houses, banks and debt funders, focussed on the mid-market space, that are currently unable to find the right partner. This is often due to financial constraints or the inflexibility of larger firms that are focused on larger deals.
“The ethos of Knight Transaction Services is to offer a flexible, bespoke and agile service to companies across the UK,” said Hayley Brightmore, director. “For owner managers in particular, due diligence can be a daunting and complex process - and there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. We will deliver tailored support and full transparency to guide and support businesses as they prepare for a transaction. This leaves management teams free to focus their time and effort on the activities that add value to their business”.
“As we emerge from Covid-19 we are seeing deal activity accelerate rapidly and we already have some exciting projects in the pipeline,” added Jennifer Serridge, associate director. “We have a huge opportunity to become the best option for companies looking for a boutique, specialist partner who understands their needs and tailors a service just for them”.
“Joining forces with Knight Corporate Finance, which is such a respected player in the UK, is a perfect fit for us,” added Erin Berry, associate director. “We look forward to working closely with Paul Billingham, Adam Zoldan and the rest of the team to offer additional experience, insight and support to its clients.”
Paul Billingham, director and founder of Knight Corporate Finance said “We welcome Hayley, Jenny and Erin to the Group. Over the last 12 years we have built strong relationships with many acquirers, lenders and investors who have often asked us for a commercially driven due diligence product. To be able to launch Knight Transaction Services with such a talented team is an incredibly exciting prospect.”
