Ben Bradley succeeds Nigel Barratt at helm of HURST Corporate Finance

L-R: Nigel Barratt, Ben Bradley and Tim Potter

As long-serving chief Nigel Barratt prepares to step down, HURST Corporate finance has introduced his successor. Ben Bradley will now transition to the managing accomplice position – having come by way of the agency’s ranks after becoming a member of as a graduate trainee 15 years in the past.

Shopping for or promoting a enterprise will be one of life’s most troublesome but defining moments for any proprietor or entrepreneur. Primarily based within the North-West of England, HURST Corporate Finance is made for transactions between £5 million and £30 million – priding itself on “high quality over amount”, the agency’s eight company finance specialists are supported by 100 colleagues in HURST’s enterprise providers, tax and digital groups, dealing with six-to-eight offers a 12 months.

Just lately, this has included being lead advisor to Alpine Fireplace Engineers on its sale to Core Capital Companions; to CareConcepts throughout its acquisition of Marion Lauder Home; and advisor to EDM Group in its acquisition of RGF Assist.

Ben Bradley joined the agency as a graduate trainee in 2011 after a 12-month college placement. He certified as a chartered accountant in 2014 whereas working within the enterprise providers group, earlier than becoming a member of HURST Corporate Finance in 2015. He progressed by way of the ranks, changing into a accomplice in 2023 and becoming a member of the HURST board.

Over that point, Bradley has suggested on a broad vary of transactions, sometimes as much as £50 million in worth, with expertise on a quantity of offers topping £100 million. These embody firm gross sales and acquisitions, administration buyouts and personal fairness investments, together with debt and progress capital fundraising. In his new position, he’ll lead a group of M&A specialists advising owner-managed firms and entrepreneurs throughout the UK, supported by the broader agency’s enterprise providers, tax and digital groups.

Bradley commented, “Having joined HURST as a graduate, it’s extremely rewarding to now lead the company finance group. We’ve got constructed a powerful group and status through the years, and I’m wanting ahead to taking that to the following stage, increasing our attain and assist extra bold companies on their progress journeys.”

Nigel Barratt, the incumbent managing accomplice of HURST Corporate Finance, will now start to step away from the position he has held since 2007. In a deliberate transition, he’ll proceed to be a senior accomplice, supporting Bradley and offering strategic recommendation to purchasers.

Barratt remarked, “I’ve completely loved main the company finance group and am very proud of what we now have created. I’m grateful for the assist I’ve had from our purchasers, HURST’s companions and employees, and significantly the colleagues who’ve been half of our success. Ben is improbable to work with, and I do know that underneath his management the group will proceed to flourish. I sit up for persevering with alongside him by way of this transition.”

The transfer comes a 12 months after HURST unveiled plans to double in dimension to develop into a £20 million turnover observe in 2028, underpinned by an increasing nationwide shopper base, intensive recruitment and new service strains, alongside a multimillion-pound funding in know-how. To push this ahead, the Stockport-headquartered observe not too long ago grew to become half of the Dains Group, a nationwide accountancy and enterprise advisory agency with 30 areas throughout the UK and Eire, additional strengthening its assets for purchasers within the UK and internationally.

HURST managing accomplice Tim Potter added, “I’m delighted that Ben has achieved this nice step in his profession, and I’m wanting ahead to working alongside him as he continues to construct the HURST Corporate Finance group. Nigel has delivered a terrific efficiency over a few years, and I’m grateful to him for all he has achieved. He now transitions to a senior position, remaining in company finance whereas additionally working inside the senior management group to ship the agency’s technique.”