For accountants, solicitors and brokers
Advising an owner who wants to sell?
Richmonds buys UK water hygiene, Legionella control, water treatment and fire safety businesses from owners who want to retire or step back. If you act for an owner who might fit, we would like to hear from you.
What we look for
- Commercial water hygiene, Legionella control, water treatment or fire safety services
- Turnover from £500k, with no upper limit
- Consistently profitable, with healthy margins
- Most income from planned maintenance or service contracts
- LCA registration for water work; BAFE, FIRAS or NSI certification for fire work
- An experienced team that runs well day to day, and an owner planning to retire or step back
These are guidelines, not rules. If your client is close, we would still like to hear about them.
How we work with advisers
Confidential from the start
We sign a confidentiality agreement before any figures are shared, and we never approach your client's staff, customers or suppliers without agreement.
Founder-led and direct
Sanjeev Desour, the founder of Richmonds, reads every enquiry personally and leads each conversation. You and your client deal with the person who makes the decisions.
A written indicative offer
After reviewing the information, we put our indicative offer in writing, setting out value, structure and what happens to the team. Offers are normally a mix of a payment at completion and further payments over the following years, and all discussions are subject to contract.
A focused due diligence process
Our advisers check the detail with you and your client's other advisers. We keep requests focused and respectful of everyone's time. See how the process works.
No introducer fees
Richmonds does not pay introducer or finder's fees. Advisers are paid by their own clients, so your advice to your client stays independent.
Guides for owners
Questions owners ask
Can I introduce a client without naming them?
Yes. A first conversation can be about the business on a no-names basis. We sign a confidentiality agreement before any identifying details or figures are shared.
Will you deal with us or with the owner directly?
Both, as you and your client prefer. If your client would like you involved from the first conversation, we are happy to work that way.
Do you pay introducer fees?
No. Richmonds does not pay introducer or finder's fees. Advisers are paid by their own clients, which keeps their advice independent.
Which sectors are you looking at?
UK commercial water hygiene and Legionella control, water treatment, and fire safety, including fire alarms, emergency lighting, extinguishers and fire risk assessment.
This page is general information about how Richmonds works. It is not legal, tax or financial advice, and nothing on it is an offer to buy any business. All discussions are subject to contract. Take advice from your own accountant and solicitor, and see our website terms.
Start a confidential conversation
Sanjeev reads every enquiry personally. There is no cost and no obligation to talk, and we sign a confidentiality agreement before you share any figures.