Academy

Investing in Education

Bluebox Corporate Finance recognises the importance of relevant, practical and business-focused education for our team and for the far wider community in which both we and our clients operate.

It is our mission is to provide world-class business focused education to both individuals and corporates from a range of backgrounds. We provide a broad offering which starts with education delivery to those who are still at school and extends to those who may be contemplating a career in business or to those still in higher education contemplating their next step after University. From there we aim to provide support and education to our own staff, our clients and even established businesspeople who may be looking to fine-tune some of their corporate skills or enhance their knowledge in specific areas.

We deliver education in a number of ways including lecturing at world-leading business schools, organising and providing content for both internal and external workshops for the existing Bluebox team or running focused courses and specific topic training for aspiring young graduates and our interns. We aim to make a difference and it is a core part of our business.

A handful of initiatives from the Bluebox are set out below, along with details of ‘what courses contain’ and how you can access them. If there are any questions whatsoever regarding the Academy, please direct them at our COO, Tracy Kingsnorth, who is contactable on +44 203 872 4502.

TEAM TRAINING

The team at Bluebox is often referred to as our most valuable asset and as such, we do what we can to promote training for all staff irrespective of their level of experience within the Bluebox team.

All team training is managed by the Bluebox with selective elements of training delivered by the Bluebox team itself, and other elements delivered by third party providers. We provide weekly training on both hard and soft skills to team members from a well curated curriculum and try to keep the programme as varied, interesting and valuable as possible.

Training across the team is constantly reviewed and many members of the team are currently progressing through their professional qualifications which can open up a world of possibilities. Depending on your chosen path, Bluebox may choose to support you financially through your exams and will help you to prepare fully with both study and exam leave.

To apply for any vacancy at Bluebox Corporate Finance, please visit our careers page.

BREAKFASTS AND SEMINARS

Bluebox run a variety of external events to educate members of the business community about the ways in which they can prepare themselves for a corporate sale or fund raising in such a way to give themselves the best possible chance of hitting their desired objectives.

Most attendees will already own an established business – or be advising people that do – and most will have started contemplating their routes to an ultimate exit.

Our events are varied, but topics that have been covered historically include:

  • Why do most business sales collapse?
  • How to prepare a business for sale
  • What will an acquirer attribute value ?
  • What to expect from a sale process
  • Due diligence and how to prepare
  • How to select your adviser

Bluebox also runs industry and topic specific events on occasion to directly educate certain communities such as tech, healthcare, B2B, F&B etc.

If you would like to see how full schedule of events or would like further information, please visit the events page on our website.

BASICS OF BUSINESS

Our ‘Introduction to Business’ workshop is for 13-16 year olds that have an interest in learning ‘business basics’.  Zero business knowledge is either required or expected. These workshops range from an hour in length to full-day courses and they have been consistently rated by those that attend as highly valuable and easy to understand.

We are often amazed at the business minds of some young people that we have had the pleasure to work with and many are receptive to learning about business even before they begin their path to GCSEs.  School career advisers are openly talking about the ‘changing’ job market and the ‘gig economy’.  The Academy’s Introduction to business workshops may provide an extra sting to their bow.  A typical ‘Workshop’ is likely to include the following:

  • What is a business?
  • Pros and cons: Get a job v staring a business
  • Balance sheets and profit and loss
  • The Importance of cash
  • Who runs a business?
  • Case studies from real-life entrepreneurs

You may be asked to sit a ‘test’ at the end of the day and be awarded with a Bluebox Academy ‘Basics of Business’ Certificate to keep on your academic record.

For further information on our Basics of Business Workshops, please enquire here.

AMBASSADORS PROGRAMME

As part of our Bluebox Ambassador Programme, the Bluebox Ambassadors access Bluebox benefit from training across a wide variety of subjects (whilst building their networks through our events and earning commission from referrals).

Bluebox hosts ‘Knowledge Share’ events for Ambassadors which are based around a range of intermediate and advanced topics relating to the deal process or the corporate finance world more broadly.

Knowledge Share events are constantly evolving, but have included programmes as follows:

  • Key stages in an M&A process
  • Tax and its impact on different deal structures
  • Corporate valuation
  • Preparing for due diligence
  • GDPR & data protection
  • The 10 cardinal sins in selling a business

For more information on our Ambassador’s Programme, please visit the full page.

MASTERCLASSES

Bluebox runs a series of paid Masterclasses on a range of business topics across a wide range of disciplines.  These Masterclasses are advertised on a month by month basis and are open to any member of the community that wishes to attend.

Masterclasses typically last 90 minutes and are often followed by networking events for those that attend.  There is a cost to attend a Masterclass which will be notified in the literature promotion of the Masterclass at any point in time.

Masterclasses are programmed by the Academy Director, but have included the following topics in the last 12 months:

  • How do I value my business?
  • Legal complexities in M&A simplified
  • How to sell your business and make it happen
  • Tax and its impact on different deal structures
  • The 10 cardinal sins in selling a business
  • How to find my ideal partner: DIY

INTERNSHIPS

Bluebox offers a selection of Internships to students from a wide variety of backgrounds, many of whom have little experience in business or in the workplace.

The Internship programme was taken over by the Academy this year as we have the provision of education and learning at the heart of it. The length of our Internships do vary but over the course of the programme we expect you to learn fast and gain experience supporting our team in a real life work environment.

In addition to your day to day work schedule, the Bluebox Academy supports interns with a range of education that is relevant to both the work they are undertaking as part of our team as well as education that we believe will provide our interns with valuable skills when the time comes to move on.

Not long ago, a number of the full time Bluebox Analysts were in your shoes and simply weighing up their options. The Internships run by the Bluebox Academy provide an ideal environment to experience the workplace, start building your skills and start building your career.

To apply for an internship, please complete this form.



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    Testimonials

    “We were delighted with the services that Bluebox offered us. Bluebox’s attention to detail through their Diamond Programme ensured that we were well prepared for when the business was taken to market and that the sale process itself was managed expertly.

    We challenged Bluebox with finding the right strategic buyer and thereafter negotiating a deal that met our requirements. In helping initially to identify and to secure the deal with Mountville Mills they accomplished just that. Communication throughout was excellent and professional, managing each stage of the process. I would have no hesitation in recommending Bluebox to any corporate shareholder or private business owner looking to divest their business.”

    Richard Millward, Former Client

    “We were delighted with the services that Bluebox offered us. Bluebox were challenged with finding us the right strategic investor and, thereafter, negotiating a deal that met our complex requirements. In identifying and securing the deal with LGC they have done exactly that. The process itself was efficient and smooth, largely due to the excellent communication from the Bluebox team, who also demonstrated excellent experience at managing a very engaging auction process. I would be delighted to recommend Bluebox to any corporate shareholder or private business owner looking to divest a business.”

    Helen Dickinson, Former Client

    It has been a real privilege working with the team at Bluebox over this last year or so. Bluebox’s attention to detail ensured that we were well prepared for when the business was taken to market and the sale process itself was managed expertly. Starting the process, I had no idea exactly what this would entail and the volume of work that has been produced by everyone and the result reached today is nothing short of brilliant.

    Hugh Morris, Former Client

    We are delighted with the services that Bluebox was able to offer. They showed an intimate knowledge of a deal cycle, managed a tight auction process and were highly communicative from the start. I would happily recommend Paul and his team to business owners contemplating a sale of their business in the next 24 months. Experience is key and this has paid off for us.

    Laurence Seward, Former Client

    Aligning ourselves early with Bluebox, and entrusting the team to guide us through their process proved to be a highly rewarding investment from all viewpoints. Bluebox’s support significantly enhanced both the value of our business and its ‘saleability’. I would highly recommend Bluebox to business owners contemplating an exit in the next two years. The earlier the engagement the better so far as I am concerned.

    Mike Minett, Former Client

    We began working with Bluebox in early 2015 through their Blue Diamond Programme, as we were contemplating an exit. We found that the process focussed our minds on the key areas of growth in the business, and prepared us well for the inevitable rigours of due diligence. During the sale process itself, the advice offered by the Bluebox team was invaluable. We found them to be helpful, straightforward and honest.

    David Stokes, Former Client

    When selecting our adviser, it was extremely important that they had access to international buyers and were experienced in cross-border M&A. The team at Bluebox proved to be invaluable by identifying a strategic acquirer from America who was not known to us and by negotiating an excellent deal for all parties. I was also impressed with the process management from Bluebox, which ensured that the deal was closed in a timely fashion.

    Jeff Weinstein, Former Client

    When I first engaged with Bluebox, I was hesitant as to the benefits of using an advisor to firstly, find a buyer for my business and secondly, to get a deal over the line. However, now that the deal has completed with KPM, I can honestly say that the finer negotiation points handled by Bluebox and their overall management of this process has been nothing short of first class. I would be delighted to recommend Bluebox’s services to any entrepreneur contemplating the sale of their business.

    Bill Ballard, Former Client

    Bluebox worked closely with us over the following six months and helped us to implement some key initiatives which made InferMed a more attractive acquisition target. Once we decided to sell the business, the Bluebox team were very diligent in ensuring that no stone was left unturned. They negotiated expertly on our behalf to ensure we got the best deal possible.

    Alan Montgomery, Former Client

    The pre-sale planning programme that we signed up for with Bluebox made us develop our strategies and focus on the bigger picture. It proved to be a very rewarding investment from all viewpoints and significantly enhanced both the value of our business and its ‘saleability’. I would highly recommend Bluebox to business owners contemplating an exit in the next two years.

    Nigel Parsons, Former Client

    I have experienced first hand the value that can be created through highly structured pre-sale planning. It amazes me that it is not something that everyone does. It is so disappointing to see around 90% of transactions collapse before they complete and pre-sale planning will not only enhance your price, but also significantly enhance your chance of a closed deal.

    James Caan, Investor

    We worked incredibly closely with our advisers who provided expert knowledge of the sale process with which we were not familiar. We were truly delighted with the results.

    Marten Nielson, Former Client

    We appointed advisers to manage the sales process after we had received a number of unsolicited approaches for the business. I was incredibly impressed by the immense value that could be created by expertly negotiating with a group of already interested parties.

    Paul Duckworth, Former Client

    I was delighted with the service that the team offered and their real attention to detail. The deal was not without its complexities and it was reassuring to have such experienced advisers assisting me throughout the negotiations.

    Peter Bennett, Former Client

    Truly delighted with the way my sale process was managed. The fact that the team I worked with achieved such a great multiple is testament to their experience and their ability to create some true competitive tension.

    James Averdieck, Gü, Former Client

    The team at Bluebox provided invaluable support in negotiating this complex transaction. Their access to international purchasers, and exceptional knowledge of cross border M&A ensured that the deal was concluded efficiently, achieving a highly successful outcome for us all.

    Jon Parslow, Former Client

    “We selected Bluebox after a fairly long round of evaluating potential advisors because of their scientific, yet challenging approach to maximising value. During our initial meetings they showed us how far short of “ready” we were and consequently we completed more preparation in the early stages which meant we were equipped for what was to come. We were delighted with our choice of Corporate Finance partner. I do not hesitate in recommending Bluebox for any SME to consider.”

    Simon English, Former Client

    Bluebox provided invaluable advice in managing the negotiations with incoming investors. Their skills in handling these discussions were evident from the outset and the vital interface that they provided between the incumbent team and the incoming investors was truly beneficial.

    Henry Braham, Former Client

    Bluebox have a professional, dynamic and experienced team that is greatly assisting me with my focus on my exit within the next 24 months. Their structured approach is very refreshing and their ‘Blue Diamond’ programme is adding immense value.

    Matt Evans, Former Client

    The team at Bluebox provided me with a seamless service from the start of the engagement until our deal was completed. Attention to detail was commendable and their understanding of corporate M&A very impressive. I could not recommend them highly enough.

    Victor Lewis, Former client

    Having tried to sell my business previously – and failed – I was only too aware of the importance of pre-sale planning. This is a talented team offering a service that most people find out about, but too late.

    Simon Hulme, Former Client

    Bluebox are a quality outfit. Their access to International acquirers and relationships with the highest quality domestic investors was impressive. My shareholders and I received excellent service from start to finish and it was refreshing to be dealing with a senior team throughout the sale exercise.

    Michael Clapper, Former Client

    I cannot recommend the team at Bluebox highly enough. Their expert guidance throughout the entire sale exercise resulted in my shareholders securing an excellent deal with which the entire team was delighted.

    Mark Rodol, Former Client

    I’m really pleased with the service Bluebox provided. The team demonstrated excellent knowledge of the process to follow and led negotiations for the hospital in a way that allowed us to ensure we received appropriate value whilst focusing on reputational risk. Communication and service were of a very high standard.

    Steven Davies, Former Client

    With Bluebox’s expert advice we were able to find the right buyer that will benefit our business strategically. We’re delighted with the outcome and look forward to starting our new chapter

    Clive Hillier, Former Client

    The advice offered by the Bluebox team throughout the process was invaluable to the shareholders. We strongly believe that participating in Bluebox’s pre-sale planning programme was a significant driver behind the success of the deal. Their project management and negotiation skills throughout the sale process itself resulted in an exceptional deal being delivered to all parties involved.

    Harpal Singh, Former Client

    I chose Bluebox because they were the only CFA we considered who were a real ‘solution sales’ organisation rather than a team of accountants and/or ex-bankers! Selling a business is a solution sell and therefore a sell-side CFA requires this skill at its core.

    Jeremy Harford, Former Client

    Bluebox were a full solution in every respect. As an example, I never spoke with any of the potential or actual buyers directly. This separation allowed Bluebox to do what they do best which is to sell companies for the best price and on the most favourable terms.

    Jeremy Harford, Former Client