Gambit Corporate Finance LLP has acted as lead advisor to W James & Sons funeral directors on its sale to Dignity Funerals.
W James & Sons was an independent, family run funeral directors business. It has a strong presence, deeply embedded in South Wales & the Vale of Glamorgan, with its history dating back to the 1860’s.
Dignity Funerals are a FTSE 250 company and one of the UK’s leading provider of funeral-related services. Dignity own more than 792 funeral locations and operate 44 crematoria, and continue to have a strong market presence in pre-arranged funeral plans.
Gambit’s team was led by Geraint Rowe and Sam Forman, providing strategic and financial advice, identifying and approaching key strategic buyers of the company, leading the commercial negotiations and project managing the legal and due diligence processes through to successful completion. Legal advice provided by Matt Sutton and Catherine James of Greenaway Scott and accounting advice was provided by Charlotte Hulley of Macey Owen.
Geraint Rowe, Partner at Gambit Corporate Finance commented, “It has been a rewarding experience to work with W James & Sons. The business has a long and successful history and outstanding reputation. The funeral services market has very stable demand but is largely serviced by smaller family businesses that often have no clear succession planning. Securing the future of W James & Sons under new ownership of a market leader ensures the continuation of the success and history enjoyed over the past 150 years”.
Sam Forman, Executive at Gambit Corporate Finance said, “This transaction is one of a significant number of deals that Gambit anticipates closing in H2 2017. Whilst there has been a lot of commentary around volatility in the M&A market in some sectors, in the current market, good companies attract strong buyer pools and attractive multiples.”
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