We have supported specialist cloud technology recruitment firm, Focus Cloud Group, to acquire Cognitive Group - which adds a market leading specialist Microsoft recruitment business to Focus Cloud Group’s growing portfolio of offerings.
We provided holistic support across corporate finance (M&A advice), debt advisory, due diligence and tax.
This represented the first acquisition for Lloyd Gordon and the Focus Cloud Group, and there was a significant focus to assist the business to be deal and debt ‘ready’.
With a debt raise required to complete the deal, we assisted Focus Cloud to prepare the required deliverables to support the funding process (including an information document on the businesses, detailed financial and KPI analysis, due diligence reports, and a forecast model).
We facilitated discussions with a range of funders, ultimately agreeing an attractive package with Close Brothers - which included a mix of ABL and cashflow facilities. This is a complex deal structure but has allowed the acquisition to complete without the requirement of raising external equity.
Project managing the overall process we ensured a joined-up approach across all workstreams to deliver value for Focus Cloud Group and drive the deal to completion.
It was a fantastic working with the Grant Thornton team – it was such a collaborative experience, with the Grant Thornton team feeling like they were part of our organisation, helping us every step of the way. They added a huge amount of value, and we couldn’t have got it done without them.
Lloyd Gordon Founder and CEO, Focus Cloud Group
