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We specialise in valuing equity stakes in unquoted private companies (both wholly owned and majority-minority stakes)

These include, but are not limited to:

  • Investment rounds
  • Transfer of equity between founders
  • Buyout or acquisition of minority shareholdings
  • Shareholder disputes
  • M&A – as a buyer or seller
  • Post-acquisition disputes
  • Unjust enrichment

In addition...

Our valuation reports can be used to support other scenarios, such as providing a letter of comfort, producing a full shadow report or reviewing valuation reports undertaken by other parties. We can also prepare valuation reports for use in litigation situations and, if required, provide an expert witness.

Special situations

These typically occur when an investor identifies potential for a pivotal change in valuation and is prepared, based on research, to move quickly to gain maximum advantage. This may be driven by events that catalyse change, for example, a merger or acquisition, changes in capital structure or the effect of share buybacks. The defining feature of these situations is that the window for investors to act is relatively short before the opportunity to profit disappears.

Athla’s ability to rapidly assess the situation, provide a forensic valuation and support a transaction that may be occurring within days can add huge value.

Service you’ll receive

01.  Pre-scoping & scoping

Regardless of the size or complexity of the project, we run scoping calls with clients to assess and validate their situation and to understand their precise needs. This results in a scoping document that explains our proposed approach, confirms the resources necessary and provides a line-by-line breakdown of the cost.

02.  Engagement

Once clients approve the scope, we send an engagement letter detailing the project and requesting critical information, such as key contacts. Once the letter is signed, we’re good to go. This is followed by our data request form, which details all the documents and data we’ll need to undertake the valuation, such as published accounts, forecasts and equity details.

03.  Project management

Once we have the necessary data, our team of analysts starts preparing the valuation report. Our project management system ensures we stay on track, highlights points for clarification with the client and focuses the team on delivery. The client will receive a draft report for comment and, following confirmation of any changes, a final report is issued.

Why clients choose us

Responsive to our clients’ needs

Responsive to our clients’ needs

We achieve better outcomes because we work in partnership with our clients, giving them full visibility of their project at every stage; we confer with them throughout the process and share our draft reports if required. This means we can respond and adapt to changing client needs during the valuation process, whilst still retaining our independence, the integrity of our calculations and the clarity of our arguments.
Easy-to-understand

Easy-to-understand

When creating a valuation report, arriving at the final number(s) is only one part of the challenge. It’s critically important that any interested party who reads an Athla valuation report can easily understand it and have confidence in the information presented. This means writing in plain English, clearly explaining our analysis and always justifying our conclusions. The feedback that we have had indicates that our approach is highly valued by company directors, shareholders, professional advisers, potential investors, buyers, sellers and HMRC.
Detailed, accurate and evidence-based

Detailed, accurate & evidence-based

The arguments we make in our valuation reports are validated against thorough research and detailed evidence, including macroeconomic and company-industry factors. This ensures our valuations will withstand scrutiny if challenged. All the evidence we use is included in the final report, with references to data sources, so that it can be independently verified.

Delivered quickly and cost effectively

Delivered quickly and cost effectively

In most valuations, time is of the essence – that’s why we always aim to deliver reports as quickly as possible. Our proprietary valuation tool, developed in-house, speeds up the process and ensures accuracy. Once we have collated and analysed all the core data, an accurate valuation can be generated within days, although complex situations often require more time.