Independent marketing due diligence for PE-backed transactions and founder-led exits
The marketing assessment that protects valuations, surfaces hidden risk and quantifies growth forecasts at the two moments it matters most
Planning your exit?
- Pre-process evaluation - typically 2 years out.
- Identify and fix what a buyer will find before they find it.
- Build a stronger, more valuable marketing function in the run-up to sale.
- Deliverable: assessment and strategy pack
In a live process?
- Buy-side or sell-side DD at time of transaction
- Independent verdict on growth forecasts, execution quality and team capability.
- Inform deal pricing, surface hidden risk, structure earn-outs with confidence
- Deliverable: Due Diligence pack
- Express Delivery Option 10 working days
In our experience of 10+ processes 2/3rds of enterprise value chips are due to growth forecast unbelievability.
ValueVerify™ Due Diligence Framework
A three-pillar assessment of strategy, execution and resource, delivering a commercial verdict on the marketing function behind the growth forecasts.
1. Strategy
Is the Marketing Strategy fit for purpose, both for now and the next phase of growth?
- Value proposition unique or me too
- Continued growth or plateau
- Critical gaps and unarticulated risks
2. Execution
How well is the strategy being executed, and what headroom exists?
- channel by channel assessment
- current performance vs. realistic ceiling
- where spend and effort are misallocated
3. Resource
Is the right team and agency framework in place to deliver it?
- Team capability vs. strategy demands
- Agency mix, quality, and commercial terms
- Recommended resource plan to close the gap
I've been involved in 10+ processes over the last 25 years both buy-side and sell-side across PE and Trade sales, and I've personally been through two successful exits with We Buy Any Car and Help-Link.
The biggest risk I repeatedly see is the disconnect between marketing strategy / capability and growth forecasts. Misalignment and unsurfaced risk can be very costly for all parties.
Early identification and a course correction plan for founders pre-process can be hugely valuable, whilst in process DD flags can help adjust valuations for investor protection.
Phil Windas
Founder and Fractional CMO
Value Creators
What people say about us?
Don't just take it from us
Warwick Ley
Investor & Business Leader
“As Marketing Director, Phil has led and delivered an enormous step change for Help-Link in its digital marketing strategy and brand development in an exceptionally quick timeframe. His impact at both a strategic development and execution level has been significant. "
Richard Harrison
CEO at Switch2 Energy Ltd
“Phil is a highly talented marketer, with a deep understanding of how to design & execute an effective marketing strategy. He has an exceptional ability in Digital marketing - probably the best I've witnessed!"
Mark Pegler
Managing Director at ParkVia
“Phil joined us on an interim basis as marketing director, following Mercia Technologies' investment in July 2018. During his time with ParkCloud, Phil brought energy to the team, and helped us to move the business forward. Phil is a strong change agent, who facilitated a clearer vision for our B2C strategy.”