Jon Priest, co-founder and shareholder of SPA, provided the following testimonial when we advised him on the sale of his company to Next Wave Partners:
“Sometime in February 1998 I was driving back late from moderating groups in Oldham. They hadn’t gone especially well and the client wanted a ‘catch up’ phone call the following morning. The client had arrived in a wheelchair and couldn’t get access to the viewing lab. It went downhill from there really. This had been the umpteenth group I had moderated in the past two weeks and I was knackered, so was Ruth my business partner. It was dark and it was raining. And we got a puncture just south of Nunwood services. SPA was in its fifth year of trading and had grown enormously in that period of time. As we waited for the breakdown services to arrive Ruth and I made a pact. That one day, this was all going to be worthwhile. We got back home at 7 in the morning and in the office by 9.30 to get on the conference call. The client wanted the groups reconvened; that night. So off we went. We got another puncture on the way up; in exactly the same part of the M6 as the night before. At least it was a different tyre.
Every company has a story like this. An anecdote that is probably quite mundane in the scheme of things and that is usually replayed with a ‘do you remember when’ sage-like smile as time has gone on. But it was a watershed for me. At that point SPA was going to get better, bigger and more successful. And when such a time came to exit in the future – in whatever way and for whatever reason, we’d make sure that all these experiences would be at the forefront of my mind when considering ‘the deal’.
I don’t know how many groups SPA has moderated since then – thousands probably. And all the other projects, the clients, the problems, the personnel and the challenges all combined to make the last sixteen years the life and times of SPA. But it has been worthwhile. And hugely enjoyable. And I don’t regret a single minute of it.
The single most important reason why I feel this way about SPA is Green Square. They handled our deal and made our dream come true. They were, and are, utterly brilliant
Thanks to Tony, Katy and David, SPA now has a new and exciting challenge and I remain forever in their debt. On behalf of the SPA board of directors and myself I would like to thank them for everything they did for us. We remain the closest of hearts and the firmest of friends.
If you’re reading this testimonial you’re probably thinking of exiting in some way in the future. Be honest, it has crossed your mind. But you might not be sure. You might even be considering doing a deal on your own. You will certainly have your own ‘Nunwood Nights’ stories. Let me tell you this. In sixteen years, appointing Green Square was the best thing I ever did in business. So please talk to them.
They are dream makers. And there can be no higher testimonial.”
JOYCE LORIGAN, FOUNDER AND SHAREHOLDER OF PR AGENCY MARGARET STREET, PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING TESTIMONIAL WHEN WE ADVISED HER ON THE SALE OF HER COMPANY TO GOLLEY SLATER:
"Green Square were recommended to me by a friend and they have not disappointed. During the last four months they have provided an excellent service, being both professional and responsive at all times. They have also provided me with genuinely impartial advice throughout. Their collaborative team approach meant that I got the benefit of a range of experience across the partners and their willingness to get stuck into the financial detail meant that they had an excellent understanding of the business, talking knowledgeably to the acquirer throughout. I’d like to say a big thank you to them!"
JAMES VAN BREGT, COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR AND SHAREHOLDER OF ONLINE PUBLISHER METALS INSIDER, PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING TESTIMONIAL WHEN WE ADVISED HIM ON THE SALE OF HIS COMPANY TO THOMSONREUTERS PLC:
"Green Square completely understood our business and helped to realise full value for the vendor shareholders. Green Square’s innovative solutions and depth of knowledge helped us negotiate challenges along the way, resulting in a very positive outcome for all parties."
JOHN MAHONY, GROUP CEO OF REPUTATION INC, PROVIDED THE FOLLOWING TESTIMONIAL FOLLOWING A CONSULTANCY PROJECT:
"As a specialist consultancy business in reputation management we recognise that using other consultants when we need specialist advice outside our own comfort zone is imperative. Green Square brings just the right balance of objectivity and professionalism needed. I am pleased to say that they have exceeded expectations in carrying out the role we assigned them to do. They are great mediators, their opinions are always balanced and considered, and their speed of response is superb."