This event is for trading companies looking to secure substantial investment or sell their business.

A City Law Firm & Finding X will host a panel of experts who will share their top tips and advice.

After Q & A they invite you to stay on for complimentary drinks and network with the experts and guests.

THE PANEL:

Karen Holden

Founder of ACLF will explain pre-due diligence ‘getting yourself ready for an investor or sale’, what you need to have in place, identifying red-flags to resolve early on before you go to the market and what the investor/purchaser will ask.

Karen Holden set up her law firm in 2005 and it has continued to grow in numbers, brand and profile.

They specialise in due diligence to take companies to market for both investment and sale with deals ranging from £250K to £70 million.

Having a specialist commercial and litigation team they can foresee issues, resolve them before HoT are agreed and help control the transaction process.

They are well known in legaltech, fintech, fashiontech, drones, virtual reality and many more tech sectors. They also have a range of clients in various sectors, including construction, media, rail, energy, recruitment, high-end luxury shops & products, dentists and doctors and others.

Nick Wallis

Director of Bluebox: what investors and purchasers are looking for; what terms are available for you; how an equity fund can assist your business; the benefits of a strategic investor.

Nick graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2009 and qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 2012. Nick joined the graduate scheme at PwC, during which time he initially worked in the Assurance division on a range of clients, from FTSE 100 to owner managed businesses. He spent his last couple of years at PwC in the Transaction Services team, focusing on both pre and post deal work for private equity and private company transactions.

Since joining Bluebox in 2016, Nick has worked across a number of sectors including retail & leisure, industrial products, business services and telecommunications. Notable transactions include the acquisition of BRC Global Standards by LGC, the sale of Simmons Bars to Lonsdale Capital and the purchase of Moorfields Pharmaceuticals by Rayner.

Kevin Ronaldson

How to ensure your business plan is achievable and accurate, that the structure of your business is considered before-during-and after investment, that the board are clear on their exit strategies and a clear goal is set for spending the investment received.

Fintech Start-up Wealth Kernel

Previously of Hambro Life, Allied Dunbar and Zurich Financial Services, Kevin's two most recent successes have been the capital raise and establishment of both Intrinsic Financial Services and Bellpenny – leading both as CEO. In each case, he raised over £25m and grew the businesses to over 300 employees over a three year period with an annual turnover of over £100m and funds under management of over £3bn. Currently, Kevin is Chairman of fintech start-up Wealth Kernel Ltd and has a small portfolio of other businesses. He will impart his experience on how to get investment & make the most of it when you get it.

Stephen Stanton-Downes

Managing Director of Finding X: How investors treat the technology components of their investment; how to avoid the common pitfalls.

Stephen has nearly 30 years of experience in the technology markets. Having spent his early career in Financial Services and Telecoms for organisations such as O2 and NatWest, Stephen moved into management consulting in 2001. Following a ten year stint with KPMG and then at Accenture helping FTSE100 clients with their most complex and strategic technology management challenges, Stephen has been working with both Digital start-ups and larger enterprises seeking to transform themselves into Platform businesses.

Stephen has extensive experience in all aspects of the investment and transaction process by private, trade and institutional investors.