Our History

Revolutionizing sell-side advisory practices was the farthest thing from the minds of Brian, Stephen and David Rebbettes when they set off to sell their business, Contract Leads, in 1987. They had already received an unsolicited offer from Thompson International. So, the Rebbettes, like many business owners, sought the advice of the “professionals” and engaged a notable accounting firm in London. The advice was that it’s a very reasonable valuation and offer – take it.

Nevertheless, a few proposal letters were mailed out and received very poor response, so Brian decided to use the same skills that had made him successful in business to also make him richer in its sale. He started contacting Thompson International’s competitors and spent a few nights at the library researching a pool of other potential buyers.  

Brian personally called each of the buyers and introduced his company and explained why he felt they could be a great strategic fit for his business– in doing so he managed to create his own modestly competitive market. After some family discussions about the offers, Brian created a mantra: “If a bid is a whole, round number, it’s not their final offer – it’s a ballpark.” 

After holding negotiations with each of the interested parties, the Rebbettes’ sold their business in 1988 to their initial bidder, Thompson International, but for multiples more than Thompson offered on the first approach.

More than 20 years in the industry

Hardly ready to retire, and enthusiastic about future possibilities the Rebbettes decided to use their experience and original business expertise – business research – to help foster international trade partnerships among complimentary businesses operating in different regions. Many of these couplings between companies were so effective they led to mergers. Ultimately it was BCMS Corporate’s clients who began to request that we find acquirers. 

Thanks to the inspiration and encouragement of our original clients, we are now a leading family owned, professionally managed, sell-side advisory firm with more than 200 people across four continents. We generated over $1.5 billion worth of offers in 2009 alone and have been lauded by industry leaders ranging from Business Moneyfacts to M&A Magazine.

A deeper definition of integrity

Businesses are legacies. Selling a business is about more than “fair” valuations and multiples. BCMS is known for our uncompromising dedication and exhaustive efforts to constantly seek the best offer available in the market.  This is what the Rebbettes went in search of in 1987, and what BCMS Corporate strives for in every one of our deals.

As the Coutts Bank Award for “Best Run Family Business” shows, at our core, we’re the same as we ever were. If you would like to read more about the history of BCMS Corporate, download a complimentary copy of BCMS’ official biography written by Stephen Perry as a prize for the “Best Family Run Business” designation.