Corporate Advice
We have offices situated internationally providing us with a multi-lingual capability, HFCapital manages an international acquisition search with a dedicated transatlantic team working as one.
This provides the client with a global capability, managed on a local basis and obviates the need to seek out advisers in unfamiliar territories. This provides us with the ability to offer one point of contact to handle transactions over multiple jurisdictions.
We have relationships with the strongest commercial law firms in Africa and extensive knowledge and understanding of all relevant industry sectors.
HFCapital have on-the-ground experience conducting deals globally and especially on the African continent in the DRC, utilizing our extensive and international networks to our clients advantage. We have a long standing relationship with a DRC Law Firm to ensure the very best service levels for our clients.
HFCapital will approach all companies that meet the detailed acquisition criteria agreed with the client.
Following detailed screening, HFCapital will present the client with a list of companies that both meet the criteria and which would consider the possibility of being acquired by the client.
HFCapital will assist the client throughout the acquisition search, up to and including the final closing. This is particularly important with international transactions where the client does not have local representation.
In practice, there may be a significant number of advisers on any particular transaction and we may interact with:
Financial advisers, usually investment banks and financial institutions.
Legal advisers, usually specialist corporate law advisers.
External legal advisers are normally retained even when financial advisers are not used.
Financiers, are either investment banks and/or corporate banks and stock brokers.
Independent experts, separate from the financial advisers to the bidder and target, are required in some markets such as Australia, New Zealand and some African countries.
Our Role and Responsibilities
Our precise role varies somewhat from market to market and transaction to transaction, but would typically comprise of:
Advice on the overall approach to the transaction, including approach strategy and negotiating tactics.
Assistance with the assembly of an appropriate team of professional advisers if not in-house.
Co-ordination of the advice received from other advisers.
Valuation, including, where appropriate or required by local legislation, a formal "fairness opinion" on the financial terms of the transaction.
Assistance with the co-ordination of due diligence (but not the design or execution of the due diligence program.
Advice on the optimal structure for the proposed transaction, which will in turn impact on how the transaction may best be financed or materialize.
Advice on proposed financing arrangements, working with the proposed finance provider or capital markets issuer.
Advice on likely market reaction to a proposed transaction, in conjunction with equity market specialists where appropriate (often referred to as corporate brokers or financiers).
Advice and assistance with design of investor communications, in conjunction with any external financial PR agency that has been appointed.
Where a significant capital raising may be required as part of the transaction, or where a broader advisory team is desired, we may hire co-advisers with a global investment bank or other advisory firms.
Oversight, or drafting of transaction documentation, in close co-operation with the client's legal advisers, accountants and stock exchange advisers.
