Award-winning commercial finance specialist CCBS Group has completed a management buyout, positioning the North East business for a dynamic new chapter following the celebration of its 10th anniversary last year.

The buyout sees Graeme Harrison, who joined CCBS five years ago to drive business development, take over as Managing Director. Founder Peter Cromarty, who established CCBS in 2014, will remain involved as Non-Executive Chairman, supporting the leadership team and continuing to work closely with clients.

Graeme Harrison said:
“We’ve built a resilient, client-focused business with an unwavering passion for delivering exceptional results for our clients. This transition marks an exciting new phase, and I’m looking forward to working with Michael Horner, Matt Lister, and the wider team to bring our ambitious plans to life.”

CCBS Group, known for its expertise in delivering bespoke funding solutions for businesses across the North East, has experienced consistent year-on-year growth since its inception. The company prides itself on providing clear, strategic advice for clients navigating funding landscapes, particularly during uncertain times and when traditional routes may be unavailable due to complex factors.

Reflecting on the journey to date, Peter Cromarty commented:
“It’s been an incredible journey, building CCBS from a one-man operation to a leading independent finance boutique with a team boasting over 125 years of lending experience. We’ve supported businesses through every stage of growth – from acquisitions and management buyouts to international expansion. I’m immensely proud of everything we’ve achieved, and I’m excited to see the business continue to flourish under Graeme’s leadership and the new management team.”

The strategic move, advised by Square One Law and BK Plus, ensures the business remains independently owned and firmly rooted in the North East. Management team members received legal and financial advice from Clark Mairs and The Advisory Group, helping to secure a seamless transaction process that underpins CCBS’s ambitions for long-term growth.

Harrison added:
“While to the outside world CCBS will look very much the same, this internal evolution strengthens our ability to deliver even more for our clients. Our ethos remains firmly in place – understanding client needs and delivering exceptional funding outcomes — but with a renewed energy and shared vision for the future. With our experienced leadership team, robust network of funders, and unwavering commitment to the businesses we serve, we are well placed for another decade of success.”

Looking ahead, CCBS plans to continue expanding its presence across the North East, building on its strong reputation for client service, industry expertise, and resilience. Recent investments, including the opening of a new office in Teesside, reflect the company’s ambition to support even more businesses across the region.

Harrison concluded:
“This is a proud moment for the team. We are passionate about the future and committed to growing CCBS in a way that stays true to our culture and values, and contributes positively to the North East business community.”

Graeme recently developed a guest blog post for We Sell Any Company which explores a potential fund raise for a Management Buyout (MBO) or Management Buy-in (MBI).

Read the post here or read the summary below…

Essentially we need to know if the acquisition is a share purchase or an asset purchase. A share purchase will involve taking over a company i.e. taking over the legal entity which will include all of its assets, liabilities and obligations (including any inherent or historic problems). An asset purchase however, is the transfer of a specific business activity and related assets and employees.

It’s crucial that the client understands how and why the business has been valued at the agreed amount, and how and when this value is achieved. Generally, consideration is structured in the following ways;

• Payment in full to the outgoing owner upon deal completion
• An element of the payment to be paid upon completion with the remainder of the consideration deferred over a set period of time (deferred consideration)
• An element of the payment to be paid upon completion and the business owners are financially incentivised to manage the company for a period of time with the ability to earn higher payments as set milestones are achieved (Earn Out)

Now comes the tricky bit. Does the acquiring party have the means to pay for the transaction themselves or will they need to raise finance to fund the acquisition? Typically, our clients need to raise funds to facilitate an MBO and MBI.

Remember choose a good corporate finance advisor as it can save you a lot of money in the long run!