Chesterfield-based accountancy practice Shorts continues to support businesses with financial advice, assisting in business acquisitions and helping one company transition to employee ownership.
The company recently advised Sheffield-based Abbeydale Brewery Ltd as it moved towards becoming an Employee Ownership Trust, strengthening the commitment to its talented team, safeguarding its long-standing values and securing the legacy of the business.
Shorts acted as lead advisors on the transaction, including valuation, fundraising, tax advice and project management.
Connor Marshall of Shorts added “It has been great to work alongside MD Law in transitioning such a well-known, acclaimed business into becoming an Employee-Owned Business. From the start the Shareholders and Senior Management Team wanted to do what was best for the employees and, with the implementation of the EOT, this solidifies the prospects of both the business and employees for the longer term. We all look forward to seeing the continued success of such a prominent Sheffield business.”
Elsewhere, Shorts has assisted in the expansion of AxFlow UK, advising on the acquisition of Moody Direct Ltd, a long-established supplier of solutions and services to the dairy, food & beverage, brewery, chemical, and pharmaceutical sectors headquartered in Retford.
Shorts’ Corporate Finance team were lead advisers to Moody Direct and Wake Smith solicitors provided legal advice to the sellers.
Andy Ryder, Corporate Finance Parner at Shorts, said: “We are delighted to have successfully concluded this transaction on behalf of the owners of Moody Direct, Ken and David. It has been a pleasure for our team of myself, Adam
Ames, Brian Gooch and Ahad Choudry to work with them on this international deal and we look forward to hearing of the continued success of this great business as it becomes part of the Swedish owned Axel Johnson AB Group, giving it access to further fantastic opportunities.”
Shorts supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.