One critical insight from each deal that demonstrated how we think about exits. Eight deals closed. Approximately R1 billion in transaction value. One year that showcased exactly how we deploy our playbook across radically different situations. The business press won’t publish these stories. Most M&A advisors won’t share them. But buried in each of these eight transactions is a demonstration of how advanced M&A strategy actually works when you know what you’re doing. I’m not

Exits are not only about numbers on a balance sheet. They are about people, legacies and how businesses evolve through change. One of the most complex moments in that journey is handing over the reins of leadership while preserving what made the business valuable in the first place. For our client, Cobra Group, succession was central to its success story. A Founder’s Maturity Cobra’s founder had built the company from the ground up, holding a 70% shareholding after d

If you’re in private equity, you know better than anyone that a great exit can make or break a fund. Selling well is part of your DNA. Yet even the best teams can find themselves stretched thin and watching value leak long before the sale. It’s not intent. It’s bandwidth. The Bandwidth Problem You’re managing pressure from every direction. LPs expecting returns, management teams needing guidance and new deals demanding attention. Between capital raises, portfolio oversi

We recently facilitated the successful sale of a specialist South African manufacturing business in the commercial kitchen and refrigeration space. The transaction highlights the power of strategic fit, a trusted advisory relationship and a streamlined, relationship-driven M&A process. A Niche Manufacturing Business with a Strong Reputation The business in question is a manufacturer and distributor of high-quality commercial kitchen and bar refrigeration equipment, primar

At Deal Leaders International (DLI), we measure success not only in completed transactions, but in the way each deal reflects the potential of South African businesses to compete, and win, on a global stage. Every deal is a story, and the recent strategic investment by Alterra Capital Partners into Cobra Group Holdings is one that speaks volumes about resilience, preparation and the strength of African industrial champions. A Legacy of Excellence Cobra, founded in 1986,

The decision to sell a business is a profoundly personal and often a challenging one. For many owners, their business is an integral part of their identity, livelihood and established routine, creating a comfortable space that can sometimes inadvertently hinder the pursuit of long-term objectives or the recognition of opportune exit moments. An effective business exit necessitates alignment on both macro and micro scales. While business owners have limited influence over th