Intuitus: Technology ‘Red Flags’ Risk Derailing M&A Warns Top PE Adviser

  • As exit windows open up, companies must tackle technology ‘red flags’ to achieve highest valuations warns Intuitus MD
  • Dual opportunity of increasing interest from overseas institutional, corporate investors and estimated £900 billion of London-based capital
  • Intuitus targets further expansion in Germany, Benelux, France and the Nordics

Calum Stewart, MD and founder, Intuitus (Photo: Business Wire)

EDINBURGH, Scotland--()--The MD of one of Europe’s leading private equity advisers has warned that technology and IT ‘red flags’ could put at risk the exits or re-financings of companies that would otherwise be seeing deals get over the line successfully with international and London-based institutions and corporate investors.

While various reports have indicated a surge of interest from foreign investors in UK private-equity-owned assets during the second half of 2016 - partly driven by a sharp drop in the value of the pound - that shows signs of continuing into 2017, forward planning in the twelve months leading up to the exit can have a huge impact not only on deal value but whether the deal concludes.

Fixing technology and IT operations can require considerable time and effort, warns Intuitus MD and founder, Calum Stewart:

“Technology has never been more critical to exit readiness than it is today and our client base consistently tells us that if IT problems are discovered in the lead-up to exit it is often too late to redress the situation before potential buyers start taking a look. Potential issues and deal-breakers include intellectual property disputes, contractual disputes, capacity planning and product development problems.”

“In a typical sale process, any significant technology or IT problem presenting a current or future risk will be likely to delay the process and may also depreciate the value that you’re trying to extract. In the worst instance, it could even derail the sale completely.”

  • Intuitus - whose private equity clients include Inflexion, The Carlyle Group, Dunedin, Triton and Scottish Equity Partners - is in on track to advise on over 100 deals during 2016, with approximately 30% of deal activity involving non-UK assets.
  • Intuitus offers its private equity and corporate clients commercially-focused, independent technology and IT expertise throughout the full investment life cycle - at the point of acquisition, during ownership and at exit. Supported by a network of internationally-experienced consultants, mainly former CEOs, CTOs, CIOs and IT Directors from a wide range of industry sectors, and managed through the company’s unique, integrated delivery model, the company is targeting expansion in the UK, Benelux, France, Germany and the Nordics in 2017.
  • Intuitus won the Specialist Adviser of the Year award at The Private Equity Awards 2016.

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Contacts

Intuitus
Calum Stewart
+44 (0)131 618 0512
or
Freer Consultancy
Nick Freer
+44 (0)7841 571 871
nick@freerconsultancy.com

Release Summary

Technology 'red flags' risk derailing M&A warns top PE adviser

Contacts

Intuitus
Calum Stewart
+44 (0)131 618 0512
or
Freer Consultancy
Nick Freer
+44 (0)7841 571 871
nick@freerconsultancy.com