Australia’s Business Brokers

From the beginning Ian Haggerty was very professional and in every conversation he demonstrated his industry knowledge and expertise as a broker. Des Pawelski , 12 Aug 2020 I have been in business for 51 years as cladding contractor with up to 100 employees who work in a factory and on larger commercial building sites. Two years ago I reached the stage where I felt that I should look to sell the business and started meeting with business brokers who advertised in the newspaper’s classified and on Google. None of the brokers seemed to genuinely understand my business or how to find a buyer. Late last year a competitor from another state phoned and said that he was interested in selling his business. He mentioned talking with a broker who was putting together a number of similar contracting businesses to sell to an investment group. Soon after, I was in contact with Ian Haggerty of Benchmark Corporate based in Queensland. From the beginning Ian was very professional and in every conversation he demonstrated his industry knowledge and expertise as a broker. Ian took the time to understand my position and then pointed out the advantages and pitfalls in selling my business. We discussed a marketing plan along with an Information Memorandum showing what the business had done in the past, the future potential and the asset/liability position. Things were looking promising. An advantage of the Benchmark organisation is that they have over 65 brokers operating throughout Australia and a huge buyer data base of potential buyers who have looked at businesses they had for sale in the past. From this pool we soon had prospective purchasers looking over the business, some expressed interest, others thought that the type of business was too hands on for them as every contract we perform is a bit different. In February the COVID virus struck causing major delays on a number of our larger projects, which caused significant cash flow issues. Things were looking grim and my hopes of a sale started to diminish. I consulted with a liquidator over insolvency concerns and administration was recommended (my cashflow had halved). Selling my business now appeared impossible - the employee accruals from long serving workers was a significant problem. I informed Ian that I had sought the advice of a liquidator and was intending on placing the company into administration. Ian strongly advised against taking such drastic action and recommended an immediate consultation with ReGroup Solutions, a firm of Turnaround Practitioners. Ian had worked with the ReGroup team previously and gotten excellent results. ReGroup Solutions provided excellent financial advice and guidance and I was able to regain control of trading operations. I then contacted some local businesses (who Ian had contacted previously) and was able to inform them that the crisis situation had been resolved and I was now able to continue trading whilst exploring offers for a sale of the business. Out of the multiple enquiries Ian received, we were left with two companies with serious offers on the table (despite this being around the time of the COVID virus outbreak). Ian collaborated with ReGroup Solutions and set about negotiating with the interested parties. Due to Ian’s involvement and assistance from ReGroup Solutions, we finally agreed a fair market sale of the business and the majority of employees jobs were saved. Ian went beyond the call of duty and negotiated a very reasonable two year consultancy position with the purchaser.   With the pandemic, these are very turbulent times. If you are concerned about succession or looking to sell your business, then I highly recommend Ian Haggerty from Benchmark. Ian is extremely adept at strategically managing the negotiations, assessing the genuineness of prospective buyers and then closing the best deal for his client. Ian’s approach was professional and he maintains strict confidentiality throughout. Ian understood the opportunity and potential for my business and then presented this to prospective buyers in the best light. Thanks Ian and Benchmark. Ian Haggerty receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Before joining the team at Benchmark (as a senior business broker), Ian was QLD State manager for Flow Systems (part of the Brookfield group) where he created dynamic growth opportunities for developers within the residential and commercial property markets. Prior to Flow, Ian was also at Trility, (part of Mitsubishi) Australia’s third largest water company, and was Head of Strategic Growth. Ian developed strategies for the company’s growth from 120 employees to over 400 employees today, including sourcing joint venture arrangements and value added acquisitions. Get to know more about Ian Haggerty and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Haggerty is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Eleni Kondo , 18 Mar 2019 To all prospective business sellers, I would have no hesitation in recommending Benchmark as your business agent. They were very professional, organise & provided a high level of communication & care. Our broker was there every step of the way through a somewhat difficult & prompt sale. I'm a former licensed real estate agent so have experience in the industry & have never had to outsource for a service I'm capable of doing but I'm very glad I did. Well worth the money. Thank you!

Stephanie Bergamaschi , 13 Dec 2018 “Nikki was approached by a person interested in my salon I wasn’t even on the market within a few short months Nikki had negotiated the deal and the sale was done it was far less stressful than in the past.If you want your business sold not just for sale Nikki is the one. She anticipates what is needed and gets it done.Thanks so much x” Stephanie Bergamaschi – Seller

Hamish , 13 Dec 2018 Wow – what a ride Nikki! When selling my salon I didn’t know there could be so many things to work out and negotiate so a massive thank you Nikki, for keeping me on track through this difficult process. There were many twists and turns in the road but you broke them down step by step and dealt with each one as you came across it, and it worked! I am now happy to have completed the salon of my salon and I am enjoying the new direction I am moving in. Thanks Nikki for working with me through this and for achieving the best result possible!

Our daughter contacted Bud regarding the possibility of listing our business for sale after coming across Benchmark’s advert on a google search. Bud was quick to respond and from the first chat was optimistic about listing and selling our business. Right through the process of listing, signing up and seeing the sale through to completion, Bud kept in regular contact with us, and made sure everything was in place for a smooth settlement and transition for the new owners.    Bud is friendly and always up for a chat, and we would thoroughly recommend Bud and the team at Benchmark to get the job done. - Leonie Combridge Gamil Baddour receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Bud (Gamil Baddour) came to Benchmark in 2004 after spending 38 years as a Senior Manager in several international Financial Institutions. He has owned and managed small businesses too.  In the first twelve months at Benchmark. Bud completed the most number of sales for Benchmark selling businesses such as Cafes. Takeaway Outlets, Food Stores. Newsagencies, Franchised Businesses, Manufacturing -and more. Get to know more about Gamil Baddour  and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Gamil Baddour is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Magdaleine , 01 Feb 2018 I asked Nikki to sell my salon for me and what a result! I am delighted to be able to move on with all my travel plans and spending time with my grandchildren and the salon is now in the hands of a great dad & daughter team who will look after my clients well. Thank-you Nikki for taking care of everything and I wish you all the best. You really are the Queen of salon sales! Much appreciated!

J. Hoppe , 13 Dec 2018 ” I first met Michael from Benchmark Business after I made a phone call to enquire about Benchmark Business, systems and ended up making an appointment to meet with Michael, that was in August 2013. Michael travelled from Brisbane to Toowoomba to meet with me and I was able to find out what he thought he could to sell our business and he found out all he could about our business, my husband, myself and why we wanted to sell. I was quite impressed with what Michael thought he could do to sell our business but I had to convince my husband to go with him as after having a couple of not so good experiences with other big name brokers and feeling ripped off he was very hesitant. Michael was persistent and rang me on average every two months for a chat and to see how we were going and did not pressure me at all. I got so used to his calls if he missed ringing I would ring him and touch base as I did not want to lose contact with him as I felt I could trust him to do the right thing when we were ready to list our business. Early in 2015 we were ready to list the business and property for sale so Michael came and met with my husband Graham and myself and everything went from there, there was only a small fee for the putting together of the business information memorandum for prospective buyers to view, this I felt he had done a great job putting together, the information in it was spot on. There were a few interesting enquiries and many discussions with Michael and I always felt comfortable with him and knew he understood where I was coming from so trust was growing for both of us then in the end of March and early April thing started to get interesting with lots of information going back and forth for several interested parties and by June we thought we had a buyer but then they backed away just before settlement in July, what a disappointment for us and Michael as we had worked so hard. Michael followed up with another party that had shown quite good interest and with lots more to-ing and throwing of information and much patience from both Michael and ourselves we finally got an offer we were happy with and accepted and things progressed from there and Contracts were signed and our business was sold on the 4th of December 2015. During 2015, our eldest daughter was seriously ill and I had to spend many months in Cairns caring for her, which made it very hard at times, but Michael always asked how she was and how I was coping and offered great support, this I greatly appreciated. During the time spent working with Michael over two years to achieve a successful sale, I felt we had built a bond of respect, trust and honest with each other and a friend ship had formed between us which I hope continues for many years. I am thankful I went with my gut feelings and put my trust in Michael of Benchmark Business. ” Yours sincerely J. Hoppe

"I would like firstly to say if anyone is looking at selling do not even speak to another broker as what this guy done for me was remarkable. I can’t believe I have sold and I feel like the luckiest guy on the planet right now consider we are going through this corona virus pandemic. Top marks for an incredible result all round. I’m ecstatic and the loveliest buyer is really delighted with the purchase even though we are in a day out from Lockdown. Crazy times but thanks a bunch." - Iain Crouch | 19 May 2020 John Kasapi receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. John has always been involved with the hair and beauty industry all of his working life, and he offers an in-depth knowledge to all buyers and sellers. He enjoys helping people achieve their dreams, whether it be buying, selling or investing. John really understands that in many cases, a business can be a major asset, so he likes to ensure that the process, whether it be buying or selling, is “smooth sailing” for everyone concerned. Get to know more about John Kasapi and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. John Kasapi is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

The Team From Benchmark were very Professional in every way. Special mention to Steve Plant who never doubted he would get a sale. Results were excellent and I would not hesitate to recommend there services for selling or Buying. - Graham Ahern | June, 2022 Steven Plant receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Steve has been involved in building and growing businesses from start up to major international rollouts for the last 25 years. He has looked after businesses in Europe, Middle East, Asia and Australia. After a 5 year base in Singapore, Steve returned to Australia in 2015 having decided to leave the corporate world. Get to know more about Steve Plant and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Steven Plant is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

ReGroup Solutions , 12 Aug 2020 Ian’s client was a director who had been in business for 51 years as cladding contractor. The Company had up to 100 employees working from owned factory premises and on-site at large commercial building sites nationally. The Director had been thinking of succession and made contact with Ian to investigate the sales potential of his long-standing and reputable business. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis struck and the Company’s supply chain was severely impacted. The Director sought the advice of a registered liquidator, who recommended external administration. The Director’s hopes of achieving a positive sale quickly diminished and the position with the bank meant there was now a serious risk he would lose his family home.  Operating nationally, Benchmark has a huge database of prospective buyers and Ian had already generated significant genuine interest by drafting an impressive Information Memorandum and selectively negotiating with several key interested parties. Ian was concerned over the liquidator’s advice to his Client. The Director was being pressured into placing the company into voluntary administration (which Ian could see was premature and too drastic). Ian had identified his Client’s potential and felt that any insolvency procedure would unnecessarily destroy the company’s goodwill and asset values.  ReGroup Solutions would like to give a huge thanks to Ian for referring his client, the Director, to us for a second opinion. After conducting our preliminary analysis, ReGroup Solutions advised the Director on his capacity to utilise the ‘insolvency safe harbour’ under section 588GA. The new legislation, effective since September 2017, provides directors with protection from insolvent trading personal liability whilst they explore a range of restructuring and turnaround strategies. This enabled the Director to continue trading his business so that a ‘going concern’ sale could still be actively pursued by Ian. This meant Ian could still maximise the outcome for his Client by continuing his strategic negotiations.  ReGroup Solutions provided initial crisis management advice and then proceeded to investigate the various restructuring and turnaround options with the Director. The insolvency Safe Harbour provided the director with breathing space and enabled Ian Haggerty to continue his negotiating with key interested parties. The team at ReGroup Solutions worked closely with Ian Haggerty throughout the entire process – despite being an extremely complex matter, made worst by the COVID crisis, we’re delighted to say that Ian successfully negotiated a tremendous outcome for his Client!   Ian lead the way in agreeing a sale of his Client’s business, assets and the large factory premises. This not only meant the majority of workforce kept their jobs but the indebtedness to the bank could also be fully satisfied. The Director’s home was no longer at risk and Ian’s Client stands to walk away with potential surplus of $1.5m. The deal stands to return 100c in the dollar to trade creditors. Ian even secured his client a two year consultancy position with the purchaser - and at an exceptional rate! Ian’s Client can now take a well-deserved step back, with his impeccable reputation intact.   On a personal level, it was an absolute pleasure collaborating with a skilled negotiator such as Ian. The very purpose of the insolvency Safe Harbour is to help the director find a ‘better outcome’ for all stakeholders by utilising a skilled team of professionals. In this particular case, Ian was able to get an outstanding outcome for his Client on multiple levels. This was despite the extremely difficult and volatile market conditions.  Congratulations to Ian Haggerty on what has ended up being a landmark Safe Harbour win for his Client! Ian Haggerty receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Ian was the Managing Director/Owner of Pipe Shield, a specialised pipeline inspection, maintenance, rehabilitation company. Ian sold his business to Veolia. He has also worked internationally for companies such as Trafalgar Water Inc., where he was a consultant to a number of North American companies within the utilities, services and water industries where his main role of operations was in mergers and acquisitions, consolidation proposals, market analysis, securing funding for growth, and new technology introduction and acceptance. Get to know more about Ian Haggerty and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Haggerty is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.