Grant Thornton advises Emperor Design Consultants Limited

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Transaction advisory services
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Risk

Meet risks with confidence and transform your business – we support you to manage risk and deliver on your goals.

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Controls advisory
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Data assurance and analytics
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Tax

Tax has always been complicated, but it's more important than ever to understand how the evolving tax landscape impacts you and your business.

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Capital allowances (tax depreciation)
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2020 is a demanding year for capital markets. Working with you, we're architecting the future of the sector.
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The pandemic is an unprecedented challenge for the public sector. The right strategic support is vital.

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The education sector has rarely faced more risk or more opportunity to transform. You need to plan for the future.
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Private sector healthcare

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Real estate and construction

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Are you ready to deliver on your growth ambitions? We work with TMT leaders to navigate the risks and opportunities.

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Technology
We work with dynamic technology companies of all sizes to help them succeed and grow internationally.
Telecommunications
Take all opportunities to realise your goals in telecommunications: from business refresh to international expansion.
Media
Media companies must stay agile to thrive in today’s highly competitive market – we’re here to support your ambitions.

May 2022

Emperor Design Consultants Limited

Adviser to Emperor Design Consultants Limited on the financing of their EOT

£undisclosed

Grant Thornton team

Adam Hughes
Director, Corporate Finance Debt Advisory
George Fieldhouse
Partner, Head of Debt Advisory

Business support services

Debt advisory

We are delighted to have advised Emperor Design Consultants Limited on the financing of their Employee Ownership Trust (EOT).

Headquartered in London, Emperor Design Consultants Limited (Emperor) is a leading corporate communications, branding and design agency with a network of offices across the UK and Dubai.

Following on from the successful sale of the majority shareholding to an EOT which we had advised on in 2020, we were reengaged by Emperor to provide debt advisory services to advise on the refinance of vendor loan notes.

The refinancing of the vendor loan notes was an important step towards completing Emperor’s transition to employee ownership and provides a platform for its future growth independent of the original shareholders.

Our corporate finance debt advisory team were selected due to our sector credentials and experience in financing EOTs. We were able to work with the business despite the global pandemic causing delays to achieve the right result for Emperor and all stakeholders.

We ran a competitive debt process approaching a cross section of the market which resulted in a solution provided by the Santander Growth Capital team that facilitated the full repayment of all remaining vendor loan notes, as well as supporting the ongoing working capital requirements of Emperor in a cost effective manner.

Testimonial

The financial structure now in place provides us with the foundation to sustain Emperor’s growth and develop the opportunities in our market for the benefit of the company and all our people. Grant Thornton’s advice and support in accessing the right lenders and managing the process was invaluable

Kingsley James Founder and Executive Director, Emperor Design Consultants Limited