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Succession buyout at Bailey Fisher

Bailey Fisher Executive Search, a leading Cambridge and London firm focused on the hiring of senior executives to some of the most successful companies based in the UK, has announced changes to its ownership structure which will further strengthen the business.

/ Completed deal
James Allen of Birketts, Ned Brown of PEMCF, James Houlder and John Bridger of Bailey Fisher, Lake Falconer of PEMCF, Chris Teale representing HSBC. Front row (L to R) Paul Bailey, Andrew Moore, and Ann Fisher all of Bailey Fisher.

After 20 years building Bailey Fisher to the reputation it has in the market, Paul Bailey and Ann Fisher, Founding Partners of the company, have supported Andrew Moore (Managing Director) in acquiring the majority stake in the business. Andrew leads the buyout team, alongside James Houlder and John Bridger. PEM Corporate Finance acted as lead advisers on the succession buyout.

Paul and Ann will retain a 20% equity stake in the business. This significant minority shareholding demonstrates Paul and Ann’s ongoing involvement in the company and their motivation to see the business continue to grow. Paul will take on the role of Executive Chairman, with Ann becoming CEO of Women 4 Technology, and supporting the buyout team.

Bailey Fisher is an independent executive search firm focussed on the technology, life sciences, digital health and private markets. The company is headquartered at St John’s Innovation Centre in Cambridge and has been trading for more than 20 years. During this time it has built its reputation as a trusted business partner, helping to create and sustain impactful corporate management teams locally in the Cambridge technology cluster and across the UK.

Paul Bailey said:

We are delighted, after 20 years of building Bailey Fisher Executive Search into the strong brand that it is in Cambridge and across the UK, that Andy and his team have been keen to take the business to the next stage.  Ann and I will continue to support them, with me as Executive Chairman and Ann as CEO of Women 4 Technology, through the next exciting chapter of Bailey Fisher.”

Andrew Moore added:

I have been working with Ann and Paul for the last 7 years, helping them to build Bailey Fisher into the successful business that it is. There was a great opportunity to secure the long term development of the business and I am delighted to have led the MBO, with Paul and Ann remaining a key part of Bailey Fisher going forward. It is very much business as usual as we continue in our aim of making Bailey Fisher the go-to executive search firm for growth companies across the UK.”

Lake Falconer, Partner at PEMCF said:

“We worked with Paul, Ann and Andrew to structure the transaction focussing on getting a good deal that was tax-efficient and would support the company’s ongoing plans for growth. We raised debt finance from HSBC and it’s great to see them back in the market with debt finance for buyouts. And we’re delighted to have helped Paul and Ann to put in place their succession plans.”

Legal advice was provided by James Allen, Partner at Birketts. Steve Noon, Chris Teale and Jason Smithers of HSBC backed the transaction with funding.

For more information, please contact Shaun Nichols, Marketing Co-ordinator at PEM Corporate Finance, on 01223 728 280 or shaun@pemcf.com.