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Debt Advisory

Polestar has decades of experience advising clients across a broad range of transaction types, ranging from MBOs to refinancing options to full disposals. We see our role as understanding first and advising second as, in our experience, understanding the business fully – strengths and weaknesses included – is the key to unlocking its true value.

The most appropriate structure will depend on your asset base, underlying cash flows and your business plan,  debt costs rise with complexity and risk.

Over the last decade or so, the debt market has changed considerably as the number of specialist funds has burgeoned, most with a specific market segment in mind.   When talking with the more traditional lenders, it is important to sound out the most appropriate team to ensure you get the initial approach correct to maximise your chances of success.

The key areas of third-party debt where we provide advice are:

  • Asset-Backed Lending (ABL)
  • Senior debt
  • Junior debt
  • Mezzanine debt
  • Unitranche
  • High Yield loans, off-balance sheet Special Purpose Vehicles (“SPV”)

We understand which source of debt will be most appropriate for your business and will work with you to secure the funding you require, be that to refinance existing debt, buy-out a shareholder or fund growth.

We were delighted with the debt advisory support we received from Polestar. We were looking for flexible banking facilities to support the growth of People Value and Polestar lead the identification of several banking partners and supported us in tailoring the facilities

Pascal Wittet, Ethos Partners

“I was very pleased with the advice, guidance and support provided by the team. They were very effective at finding the right buyer, and negotiating a successful sale. However, in retrospect it was equally important that they were enjoyable to work with, making the experience considerably less stressful than it potentially could have been.”

Adrian Hollister, Shareholder, TM Facilities Services

Recent Transactions

Health & Education
Debt Advisory

Advised on debt restructuring of education supplies business, following COVID lockdown, with funding provided by Arbuthnot Latham

Business Services
M&A

MessageDirect's acquisition of PHD in Communications Ltd

Business Services
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory with funds raised from Clydesdale (now Virgin Money) for acquisitions

Business Services
M&A

Message Direct’s Acquisition of Internet Communications (Services) Limited

Health & Education
MBO

Management Buyout of arts and crafts educational supplier, Specialist Crafts (three weeks before lockdown!)

Manufacturing & Distribution
Debt Advisory

Advised the shareholders of Plastico during their debt renegotiation with HSBC

Sustainability
Debt Advisory

Refinancing of eGreen from HSBC to Arbuthnot Latham

Software, Media & Technology
MBO

Vendor initiated MBO of high-technology cables manufacturer funded by Lloyds Bank Plc

Manufacturing & Distribution
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory for KIMS Hospital with Clydesdale bank providing senior debt and Magnetar Capital providing mezzanine for new-build hospital

Health & Education
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory for expansion of Harley Street cancer treatment specialist, The London Clinic, with Barclays Bank Plc

Manufacturing & Distribution
MBO

Debt advisory and sale to management of leading retail packaging business

Sustainability
Strategic Support

Growth capital provided for green building materials business by Octopus Ventures and Clydesdale Growth fund

Business Services
MBO

Disposal via MBO funded by Maven Capital and HSBC

Manufacturing & Distribution
MBO

New Zealand’s first take-private transaction, Pacific Retail Group, funded by Logan and GE

Manufacturing & Distribution
Strategic Support

Strategic advice on the restructuring of Powerhouse for New Zealand-listed Pacific Retail Group - this included the first use of a CVA to limit shareholder exposure to long leases

Health & Education
Strategic Support

Business planning, strategy and bidding for healthcare services in East Kent

Manufacturing & Distribution
Debt Advisory

Renegotiation of debt facilities following acquisition

Business Services
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory in relation to Barclays replacing outgoing debt syndicate partner

Business Services
MBO

Natwest-funded MBO of audio-visual equipment supplier, Shooting Partners

Sustainability
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory for Produce World on renegotiation of group facilities

Manufacturing & Distribution
Debt Advisory

Assisted in debt raising from Clydesdale Bank for leading Burger King franchiser

Software, Media & Technology
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory to board of AIM-listed international travel group in its negotiations with Barclays

Software, Media & Technology
MBO

Advised management on its MBO of flow meter business, with funding from Natwest Bank

Business Services
Debt Advisory

Capital raising for this expanding hotel developer from ESO Capital

Software, Media & Technology
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory services for International expansion of chatbot, automated virtual assistant software

Manufacturing & Distribution
Exit

Accelerated disposal of South Coast steel construction business

Sustainability
Debt Advisory

Supported management in raising capital for a local community solar farm

Health & Education
Debt Advisory

Assisted management with its renegotiation of facilities with Santander

Sustainability
Debt Advisory

Debt Advisory to buy out minority shareholders, funded by Barclays Bank Plc

Sustainability
Debt Advisory

Crowd funding of community solar farm

Sustainability
Debt Advisory

Debt advisory on working capital facility provided by Nucleus Commercial Finance, for green building materials business