Stirling Business Transfer Agents

The Stirling Team

Roger Smith FIOD

Roger Stirling Smith used his middle name to form Stirling in 2000, having 24 years of previous business experience, reaching Chairman & Managing Director level of a £13.9m turnover business, employing over 200 people. Roger has developed Stirling to provide business owners with a personal service to help find buyers for businesses for sale and has recently introduced an advisory service to enable business owners to improve their levels of profitability and business values, prior to sale. From experience gained of selling two of his own businesses and latterly, other businesses sold through Stirling, Roger produced a well received “Guide to buying and selling businesses successfully”. Having created a professional team of experienced, professional people with a like-minded approach to business, Roger has deliberately set Stirling aside from some other Agents. With fair and easy to understand terms and conditions, Roger has ensured that Stirling offers clients a cost effective service for both developing and selling a business.

“Roger’s thorough approach to selling my company meant that a buyer was found after only a few months. Despite some difficulties in the negotiations, Roger persevered in bringing the sides together and encouraged frequent discussion, resulting in a deal that both sides are pleased with more than a year down the line.”
J Patrick

“Through Stirling, I managed to the sale of my business quickly, efficiently and with great effect to my personal finances”
Alan Harper

“Roger is personable, knowledgeable and very easy to work with. I have no doubts about his expertise in the buying and selling of businesses……” P Bayliss

Rob Edwards MBA

Rob Edwards has a background in marketing and advertising and an MBA from one of the UK’s highest ranked business schools; he has been a business owner from which he successfully exited and a board director in several other businesses. Rob specialises in a broad range of corporate transactions and business strategy advisory work, including mergers and acquisitions, share sales and purchases dealing regularly with private equity and venture capital investors, lending and financing transactions, as well as advising on MBO's, transactions involving LLP's, partnerships and joint ventures.

Rob has extensive experience of business management including outsourcing, sponsorship and merchandising, human resources, licensing, telecoms, technology and commercial agreements, strategic marketing, e-commerce and new media issues. He has worked across a range of sectors including fashion, marketing, hotels & hospitality, aviation, brands, media, sports, leisure and entertainment, internet, manufacturing, technology & telecommunications and energy sectors.

His clients have included hoteliers and restaurateurs, technology & telecoms companies, manufacturing businesses, intellectual property rights holders and owners, media and software businesses, international trading companies, as well as domestic and international investors and entrepreneurs.

Colin Bayliss

Mike Ellis

Mike Ellis, a results driven CEO from a classically trained background from within a global plc, with 18 years experience at board level within global multi-nationals, SME’s and as a business owner manager and investor. An international business background within the areas of; business start-ups, corporate re-structuring, business growth & diversification, business turnaround, mergers & acquisitions and company trouble shooting. A pragmatic, hands on business approach to enabling businesses realise their true potential through tested and proven methods supported with business coaching and mentoring.

“Mike’s energy drives you to your RESULTS……..”
L Evans

“Mike has brought a totally new approach to our business……….”
D Webb

“As my coach, Mike demonstrated considerable improvements can be made in such a short time……”
S Robinson

Simon Williams

Simon Williams, Director of Coaching, has 25 years business experience ranging from starting up and building companies through to top management roles within leading international corporations. As an accountancy graduate, with a great track record in Sales & Marketing, Team Building and Financial Management, Simon has run many business courses, spoken at international conferences and had articles published on key management topics. Simon has taken a start up division within a multinational company to a $100Million valuation within 3 years. He remained with the company after sale working with the new, venture capitalist owners. Simon has won numerous business awards and visited well over 50 countries on business. Since becoming a certified Coach Simon has achieved some stunning results and has received both UK and international awards. He is one of an elite group, who have attained Platinum Mentor Coach status.

“After feeling that I had hit a bit of a brick wall, I had begun looking for advice on how to take my business to the next level. Simon was recommended to me by a mutual client and whilst I was initially sceptical of what I might get out of coaching, my fears were completely unfounded……..”
M Cutter

“After speaking with Simon for the very first time I realised he had an amazing passion for all businesses. He has an amazing confidence that he can help any business as long as the owner is open minded and wanting to take their business to the next level…..”
A Downie

“I first met Simon at a breakfast networking meeting and was immediately impressed by his approachable manner and vast business knowledge. Since we met I have been able to build not only a business relationship with Simon but also a friendship founded on trust….”
A Noble

David Parry

David Parry completed two significant company turnarounds himself before joining a consulting firm to help other organisations do the same. He now helps clients of Stirling to prepare their businesses for sale in the future by maximising their performance and making them more attractive to a potential buyer.

Originally from a background in Engineering, David has worked with firms in a variety of sectors – including specialisms in professional service firms, family firms and partnerships. He prefers working with people who are expert in their product or service, where he adds the business management knowledge and co-ordinated approach. David focusses on getting the important things done, while the business owners are busy doing the urgent things.

The approach is designed to be as effective as possible while working with the current owners. David can help facilitate regular Board or Partners meetings (or instigate them if needed), and use these to drive actions. He then steps out of these meetings with a list of actions of his own, and is very hands-on in helping to get things done.”

“Acting as a consultant to The Needham Group, David has demonstrated experience, professionalism and the highest levels of competence across every discipline required to run and grow a successful business. He has a monumental eye for detail and system processses. His approach is structured, targetted, inclusive and systemised and all this with a sense of humour. His consultancy has been invaluable to us.”
David Needham , Owner , The Needham Group

Stefan Mead ACA

A dynamic and experienced business professional with experience in Fund management and Real Estate investment and development at Financial Controller/Finance Director level, based in Central London. Persuasive and authoritative in meetings with board members and respected third parties. Consistent track record in delivering high-profile results and management of several projects simultaneously. Proven ability to comprehend and to help businesses manage change and adapt to new situations promptly and to create and manage effective teams “hands-on”.

Raymond J Davis MIBC CMC MCMI CMgr

Ray specialises in Organisational and Individual performance improvement. He has an enviable broad knowledge of industries, businesses and management with extensive experience in SME service & manufacturing organisations.

Originally trained as a Mechanical Services engineer he had a successful 10 years in sales and sales management before moving into general management of a Plc manufacturing subsidiary and trebling net profit two years running. Identifying more attractive strategic options he sold the subsidiary and became a group internal consultant / troubleshooter. In 1991 he became and independent Management Consultant.

His work since then includes business turnarounds, preparing and selling businesses, negotiating acquisitions and managing their integration. He has extensive experience of Investors in People, Leadership and Management development and has designed and delivered over 20 different Management Development / Leadership programmes. He mentors at Director/Manager level in private and public sector organisations. Over the last few years he has worked extensively with the legal profession to introduce rigorous management and business practices and prepare for the impact of the Legal Services Act, including changes to practice ownership structures.

He is the developer and sole provider of the highly effective “Culture Benchmark” that enables organisations to accurately measure their own culture. An organisation’s culture once measured, can be positively managed to significantly assist organisational performance improvement and enable effective mergers and acquisitions.

Mike McKenna BSc DMS

Complimenting a strong corporate and academic foundation, Mike is an entrepreneur equipped to lead businesses through market uncertainty by objective analysis, persistence and the ability to effect new business sales. Previously, Mike ran a Euro 40m business in Holland, has managed a number of business exits, performed commercial due diligence and raised funds on behalf of several financial institutions and start-ups. Capitalising upon his extensive relationship network Mike has developed and implemented sales and marketing process methodologies to accelerate new business sales. With significant international experience Mike has closed business in 41 different countries. Mike was sponsored by GEC studying a BSc in Electrical Engineering and went onto achieve a post graduate Diploma in Management Studies.

Steve Orchard AIIIB

Steve Orchard is a Chartered engineer with an additional financial and banking training background. Steve has over thirty years of commercial and engineering experience in the UK and overseas; sits on executive boards of various professional organisations. A specialist in new business development, Steve has held senior management and directorship posts in a number of companies in different countries with international experience, including residential periods in Africa, Asia, Middle East and South America. Experience of different cultures permits effective identification and negotiation of win-win solutions under difficult circumstances. As a good negotiator and identifier of win-win solutions, Steve’s extensive networking capabilities have helped Stirling to secure deals, during difficult market conditions.