Clearwater International launches new division to boost entrepreneur funding
Global corporate finance advisory house Clearwater International has launched a new division which it believes could unlock £250m of new domestic and international investment for high-growth businesses over the next three years.
Clearwater Growth will provide a range of transaction services tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and owner managers of businesses with turnovers up to £40m and equity cheques up to £15m.
It aims to meet demand from owner managers for corporate finance advisors capable of providing cost-effective access to international investors, deep sector expertise and sophisticated transaction processes.
With Clearwater International’s backing, the Growth team can provide a suite of tailored service lines to clients, including raising investment, selling a business and strategic business planning.
This includes full project management of a transaction – from the initial preparation phase through to key negotiations and completion.
The Clearwater Growth team will be based out of the UK’s key regional centres of Birmingham, Leeds, London, and Manchester but will leverage the firm’s international network of more than 300 professionals, based in 17 offices.
The new division is aiming to support around £600 million of deals over the next three years and take an increasing share of the SME transaction market, as well as supporting growth strategies through Clearwater International’s expertise.
Founded twenty years ago, Clearwater International completed 221 deals in the last financial year 2021/22 representing a 60% increase in deal volume compared to the previous year, placing Clearwater in 8th place in the Pan-European financial advisors league tables. There was an overall increase in revenue of 111% from 2020/2021 to 2021/2022 which marks a milestone year for the firm.
Clearwater International has supported several recent high-profile deals involving growth businesses including advising Triangle Fire Systems on its minority investment from BGF, Nemesis Now on its investment from Alcuin Capital Partners and Town & Country Petfoods on its sale to Assisi Pet Care.
The Clearwater Growth team is being headed up by Sam Miller who joins as Partner. For the past 18 years Sam has been an investor or lender to fast-growing businesses with direct experience of debt, equity and venture capital. Sam has sat on several boards of entrepreneurial businesses as a non-executive director, and raised and managed investment funds.
Michael Reeves, managing partner at Clearwater International, said: “The needs of ambitious entrepreneurs with international outlooks and complex funding requirements have not been well-served historically.
“Despite the current economic outlook, globally there’s a huge amount of capital available to be invested in innovative, well-run businesses. We are making an investment of more than £3 million in Clearwater Growth over the next three years to help high-growth businesses unlock that funding.
“The team will provide corporate finance services equivalent in quality to Clearwater International, but geared toward the specific requirements of smaller businesses.
“The entrepreneur’s growth journey is intrinsic to the roots and heritage of Clearwater International. Twenty years ago, we founded Clearwater International which has grown in size and position in the market, it’s going to be exciting to work with businesses starting on the same road.”
Sam Miller, partner at Clearwater Growth, said: “For the UK’s ambitious entrepreneurs, a lack of high-quality corporate finance advice can limit their access to investment.
“Management teams want the best advice and access to specialists who understand the unique dynamics and pressures of running owner-managed and high-growth businesses.
“Clearwater Growth has such a strong proposition for SMEs, giving them access to the quality and capabilities that might otherwise be beyond their reach, but which are vital to their long-term success.
“I am thrilled to be heading up this team of talented people to deliver a truly quality service to the UK’s most exciting and dynamic entrepreneur-led businesses.
“With the backing of Clearwater International we will leverage sector expertise, access to global investment and excellence in transaction process. I have been surrounded by growth businesses for almost all of my working career and working with them is my passion.”
