MBO of a Marketing Agency by Its Creative and Commercial Directors
£680,000 · 5 years · 8.25% fixed. The creative director and commercial director of a digital marketing agency with £2.1m revenue and £290,000 EBITDA had agreed an MBO from the founder at £900,000.
The Client
Creative and commercial directors of a digital marketing agency
The Challenge
The creative director and commercial director of a digital marketing agency with £2.1m revenue and £290,000 EBITDA had agreed an MBO from the founder at £900,000. The business was entirely people and IP-based - no physical assets. Service business MBOs are challenging because the key assets walk out of the door every evening.
Our Solution
Doulton assessed the agency's client retention rate (88% over three years), the long-term retainer agreements in place, and the fact that the two buying managers were themselves the key client relationships - meaning the MBO reduced rather than increased key-person risk. A specialist service business lender was identified.
The Outcome
MBO completed. All retainer clients renewed in year one. Revenue grew 14% as the new owners invested in two junior hires. EBITDA improved to £340,000. The agency won two significant new clients in year two as the owners were freed from internal management politics. Key highlights: Key-person risk reduced by MBO - buyers were the client; 88% client retention rate over 3 years evidenced; Revenue grew 14% and EBITDA improved to £340k in year one.
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