A ~R2bn critical services platform prepares for an exit
01. The Context
A large critical-services platform operating in Sub-Saharan Africa was beginning preparations for an exit to either a financial or strategic buyer. The business delivers highly specialised services essential to blue-chip and governmental continuity. Because of its operational depth, complex business model and sophisticated contractual dynamics, the business case is difficult to communicate and grasp quickly. The business’s value drivers were embedded in technical detail rather than a simple story that a broad bidder profile would get immediately.
02. The Strategic Need
Because bidders would arrive with varying levels of category knowledge, the equity story becomes the bridge between operational reality and perceived value. The shareholders, corporate bank and executive team needed a narrative capable of explaining a complex service model in a way that simplified, clarified and highlighted the business’s true strengths. Beyond the narrative, they needed a management presentation that could carry this story, and a leadership team prepared to deliver and defend it with authority.
03. The Delivery & Value
We worked closely with shareholders, the corporate banking team and management to develop a compelling equity story. The equity story became the IM’s executive summary. We then designed the management presentation and trained the CEO and CFO extensively to strengthen their ability to communicate and defend the story under pressure.
The compounding effect was improved bidder conviction - in the CFO’s own words “the story is believed by all now”.
All identifying details have been fully anonymised to protect the confidentiality of ongoing transaction processes