Your M&A Director,
without hiring one.
Your analysts track performance. But no one looks at your investments the way an acquirer would. This role has never existed in-house — we created it.
The missing role in your org chart
No M&A Director in a Family Office
The frequency of transactions doesn’t justify a full-time role. Result: M&A matters move forward when a deal forces the issue, not when the timing is right.
In co-investments, you rely on the GP’s view
They produce their own analysis, in their own interest. Having your own view — on the same data, with your own framework — changes the dynamic entirely.
On exit day, everything needs rebuilding
No data room, no structured history. The VDD is assembled under pressure, with scattered data. You negotiate from a position of weakness.
Investment banks show up when the deal is there
They don’t prepare the ground. They charge a success fee and move on. No one watches over your M&A matters between transactions.
An M&A Director who works at your pace
Analyze every deal through a Transaction Services lens
Before each investment or co-investment, a Red Flag Report — QoE, red flags, structural risks. Your own analysis, not the GP’s.
Monitor each investment through the transactional lens
At every periodic accounting close, a structured DataBook — adjusted EBITDA, normalized working capital, red flags. The question shifts from “how is it performing?” to “what is it worth if we sold it tomorrow?”
Prepare your exits
The history accumulates at every close. When a divestiture is triggered, the data room is already ready.
From permanent oversight to full mandate
Outsourced M&A Direction
Your M&A Director, on an ongoing basis. The Transaction Services lens on every investment, at every close — and exit preparation built in from day one.
- — Annual fee based on the number of investments covered
- — 1 DataBook per investment at each periodic close
- — 1 structured call per quarter — portfolio review, alerts, anticipation
- — Direct availability between calls
- — Modular offerings at subscriber rates
Standalone deliverables
Available independently or as add-ons to the subscription.
Flash Diagnostic< 1 wk.
A concern about a portfolio company. Quick financial health check — when a warning sign calls for a deeper look.
Red Flag Report< 1 wk.
Quick go/no-go before acquisition. Adjusted EBITDA, revenue quality, working capital, net debt, 15 red flag tests.
Vendor Assistance< 2 wks.
Before going to market. See your accounts the way a buyer will — and fix what needs fixing before you go to market.
One-off DataBook< 1 wk.
The complete financial X-ray of an investment. 15 to 20 tabs of analysis — restated P&L, adjusted EBITDA, working capital, net debt, KPIs, red flags. The foundation that feeds everything else: monitoring, exit preparation, DD.
Valuation< 1 wk.
Value an investment before divestiture or restructuring. Multi-method valuation, normalization adjustments, value levers, timing and structuring. 2 presentations.
Buyer Documentation< 2 wks.
The complete package to go to market. Information memorandum, anonymous teaser, anticipated Q&A (30-50 items), management presentation. Coordination with auditors.
Data Room< 1 wk.
Prepare the data room for a divestiture. Professional VDR setup, structured tree, DD checklist (200-500 items), population and indexing, access and permissions management, buyer Q&A tracking.
Buyer Mapping< 1 wk.
Identify and approach the right buyers. Long list of 50-100 buyers, multi-criteria scoring, warm/cold strategy, Before Partners warm paths, 3-wave prioritization.
Full M&A mandate
Before Partners takes the lead — divestiture of a portfolio company, direct acquisition, build-up by one of your companies, or estate restructuring.
- — 3-phase engagement: preparation, execution, closing
- — Monthly retainer + 3% success fee
- — All previously purchased modules are fully credited against the mandate
What changes when this role exists
A proven concept, adapted to your portfolio
Outsourced M&A Direction already works for SME owners and fund GPs. We apply it to wealth management with the same rigor.
Continuity creates value
The history that accumulates at every close accelerates any future transaction. After 3 years, you have a foundation no fresh VDD can replicate.
Your own view
Not the GP’s, not the investment bank’s. Yours — built on your data, with your framework, in your interest.
Stéphane Hincourt-Thomassin
Founder, Before Partners
Ex-Mazars, Deloitte, BDO • 25 years of expertise • 400+ deals advised
« A Family Office has never had a dedicated M&A Director — the frequency of transactions doesn’t justify a full-time role. We created it externally: screen, monitor, prepare exits, be available between deals. »
Your portfolio deserves a dedicated M&A Director
A 30-minute conversation to evaluate how Outsourced M&A Direction applies to your investments.