We start from the principle that managers leading the buy-out need to know what fair value looks like.

There's a well-worn path we aim to follow, with the future health of the business as our guiding star. That is, after all, what motivates the new owners - managers, employees and the Valloop Fund - to take up the responsibilities of ownership.

The financial structure should deliver fair value to owners. At the same time, we look for compelling incentives for those buying in: the managers, employees and Valloop taking a stake in your business. Our aim is always to arrive at that fair value, with transparency.

That means an open-book approach. There should be no room for ‘hard ball’ tactics, trying to drive the sale price down from fair value, once arrived at. With us, you won't see your buy-out team or Valloop ‘updating’ assumptions at the 11th hour - a tactic typical of the more aggressive trade buyers.

For Valloop, fair value is fair value – and that’s what we commit to deliver.

The methodology itself is meticulous – the opposite of a wet finger in the air. We respect industry norms, with a more detailed lens on your "human capital" than others might apply. You’ll need to be prepared to answer some searching requests for information. It’s not easy - nothing robust ever was. But once it’s done, both sides know exactly where they stand.

With Valloop, the seller gets fair value. The new owners are motivated to do the deal. Fair value transfers both ways, in a sustainable, equitable and inclusive exchange. Job done.