Australia’s Business Brokers

I recently sold my business using Benchmark Business Sales and Mick Godwin as my sales broker. From the day I enlisted his services he was professional, always prompt to respond to any questions/concerns and communicated clearly each step of the way. Mick ensured I had everything in place for potential buyers prior to listing my business for sale, which took away all of the initial stress I had been feeling, as I knew I was in good hands. I appreciated his honest guidance throughout the entire sales journey, including initial listing price advice, negotiating with potential buyers and then closing the sale and I can’t recommend his services highly enough! Thank you Mick! -Katie Elliott | May 2022 Mick Godwin receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Mick Godwin has started, grown and successfully sold his own business and through that process saw a huge opportunity to better serve other business owners in the sales process. Currently undertaking a Masters in Business, majoring in finance and strategy, Mick has over 10 years of experience in business management and entrepreneurship. With the unique advantage of combining practical and academic experience, Mick enjoys investigating and understanding a company's value in the market by researching and understanding value further than what the company's written down value suggests it is worth. Get to know more about Mick Godwin and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Mick Godwin is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

My husband and I recently sold our Business through Ian Salter at Benchmark. From the start to finish Ian was always available and guiding us through the process ensuring we had everything in place for a potential buyer at the beginning and then guiding us through the sale he always kept us up to date with the progress of the sale whether it be a phone call a text or an email. His professionalism was outstanding and knowledge of the whole process was extremely helpful to have Ian's guidance in the process to the day of settlement. I can't recommend Ian's services highly enough. Thank you Ian and will definitely use your services again in the near future. -Donna Carroll | June 2022  Ian Salter receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Ian is dedicated to producing the best result possible for his clients through the application of hard-earned knowledge, experience, and insistence upon the upholding of professional standards. He also interacts frequently with a network of like-minded professionals, such as Solicitors, Bank Managers, Accountants, Finance Brokers, State Managers, National Managers, and Master Franchisors, not only to assist with the sale process for either a Buyer or Seller, but also to stay in touch with industry changes. Get to know more about Ian Salter and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Salter is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Boyan Ristovski , 18 Mar 2019 Thank you very much for all you support during the process. We could not have asked for a better broker or a more patient person to deal with during the long 6 month process it took to get to settlement but we are extremely happy with the outcome.  You were always available for us and we appreciate that. Thank you to you and your company for seeing this trough to the end.

ReGroup Solutions , 12 Aug 2020 Ian’s client was a director who had been in business for 51 years as cladding contractor. The Company had up to 100 employees working from owned factory premises and on-site at large commercial building sites nationally. The Director had been thinking of succession and made contact with Ian to investigate the sales potential of his long-standing and reputable business. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis struck and the Company’s supply chain was severely impacted. The Director sought the advice of a registered liquidator, who recommended external administration. The Director’s hopes of achieving a positive sale quickly diminished and the position with the bank meant there was now a serious risk he would lose his family home.  Operating nationally, Benchmark has a huge database of prospective buyers and Ian had already generated significant genuine interest by drafting an impressive Information Memorandum and selectively negotiating with several key interested parties. Ian was concerned over the liquidator’s advice to his Client. The Director was being pressured into placing the company into voluntary administration (which Ian could see was premature and too drastic). Ian had identified his Client’s potential and felt that any insolvency procedure would unnecessarily destroy the company’s goodwill and asset values.  ReGroup Solutions would like to give a huge thanks to Ian for referring his client, the Director, to us for a second opinion. After conducting our preliminary analysis, ReGroup Solutions advised the Director on his capacity to utilise the ‘insolvency safe harbour’ under section 588GA. The new legislation, effective since September 2017, provides directors with protection from insolvent trading personal liability whilst they explore a range of restructuring and turnaround strategies. This enabled the Director to continue trading his business so that a ‘going concern’ sale could still be actively pursued by Ian. This meant Ian could still maximise the outcome for his Client by continuing his strategic negotiations.  ReGroup Solutions provided initial crisis management advice and then proceeded to investigate the various restructuring and turnaround options with the Director. The insolvency Safe Harbour provided the director with breathing space and enabled Ian Haggerty to continue his negotiating with key interested parties. The team at ReGroup Solutions worked closely with Ian Haggerty throughout the entire process – despite being an extremely complex matter, made worst by the COVID crisis, we’re delighted to say that Ian successfully negotiated a tremendous outcome for his Client!   Ian lead the way in agreeing a sale of his Client’s business, assets and the large factory premises. This not only meant the majority of workforce kept their jobs but the indebtedness to the bank could also be fully satisfied. The Director’s home was no longer at risk and Ian’s Client stands to walk away with potential surplus of $1.5m. The deal stands to return 100c in the dollar to trade creditors. Ian even secured his client a two year consultancy position with the purchaser - and at an exceptional rate! Ian’s Client can now take a well-deserved step back, with his impeccable reputation intact.   On a personal level, it was an absolute pleasure collaborating with a skilled negotiator such as Ian. The very purpose of the insolvency Safe Harbour is to help the director find a ‘better outcome’ for all stakeholders by utilising a skilled team of professionals. In this particular case, Ian was able to get an outstanding outcome for his Client on multiple levels. This was despite the extremely difficult and volatile market conditions.  Congratulations to Ian Haggerty on what has ended up being a landmark Safe Harbour win for his Client! Ian Haggerty receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Ian was the Managing Director/Owner of Pipe Shield, a specialised pipeline inspection, maintenance, rehabilitation company. Ian sold his business to Veolia. He has also worked internationally for companies such as Trafalgar Water Inc., where he was a consultant to a number of North American companies within the utilities, services and water industries where his main role of operations was in mergers and acquisitions, consolidation proposals, market analysis, securing funding for growth, and new technology introduction and acceptance. Get to know more about Ian Haggerty and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Haggerty is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Thomas & Cherie , 16 Jan 2019 "We highly recommend Tu Nguyen as a business broker– he sold 2 businesses for us in the past 12 months. We have found Tu to be professional and honest. He is also very proactive and easy to contact. We could not happier with outcomes Tu achieved for us.” Thomas & Cherie, Sunshine Coast QLD Tu Nguyen receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Tu’s academic background in the banking and finance sector along with his extensive knowledge and expertise has allowed him to assist both buyers and sellers greatly through the convoluted business sale process. Tu knows what banks are looking for and how to analyse the strengths and weaknesses within each business transaction. Get to know more about Tu Nguyen and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Tu Nguyen is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

Eki/Melissa , 13 Dec 2018 Thanks Benchmark for your persistence in delivering the sale and getting us price we wanted. Great effort and job well done.

Shane Ayre , 13 Dec 2018 I would just like to say a very big thank you to you personally and to Benchmark for handling the recent and very successful acquisition of Akwa Worx & Akwa Facility Maintenance Pty Ltd to ASX listed De.Mem Ltd. The whole process was very quick and efficient and the drive from you with my instructions to do was done in a very professional manner. Once again thank you and I would have no concerns giving recommendation to any of my colleges should they wish to go forth with a sale. Ian Haggerty receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Before joining the team at Benchmark (as a senior business broker), Ian was QLD State manager for Flow Systems (part of the Brookfield group) where he created dynamic growth opportunities for developers within the residential and commercial property markets. Prior to Flow, Ian was also at Trility, (part of Mitsubishi) Australia’s third largest water company, and was Head of Strategic Growth. Ian developed strategies for the company’s growth from 120 employees to over 400 employees today, including sourcing joint venture arrangements and value added acquisitions. Get to know more about Ian Haggerty and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Ian Haggerty is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

To anyone thinking of selling or buying in the hospitality industry, Sam Pask is your Broker. Sam will go out of his way to match the appropriate Buyer with the Seller to achieve a successful outcome for both parties. He has great enthusiasm and communication skills when going through a contractual process because of personal experiences and a wealth of knowledge in the industry. - Leanne, Former Director Wooden Horse Restaurant, Clayfield Brisbane.

Amy , 13 Dec 2018 I contacted Nikki to begin the search for a salon. After speaking to Nikki about what I wanted, she called me and invited me to look at a lovely salon, she thought would be perfect for me….and it was! She showed me how to go about buying a salon and she helped me with sorting out a plan to make it work for both parties. Today, my dreams have come true with my own salon. Thank you Nikki, it is perfect for me! Thank you for all your help and making it happen!

I spoke to John a few years ago and when it was time to sell, I immediately reached out to him. We listed and sold in a very short period and he had the perfect buyer ready to go. As we approached settlement, the buyer communicated to me that they were in the process of purchasing another business with a different broker. The buyer was highly impressed and appreciative that our transaction transpired so quickly and seamlessly. This was down to John’s efficiency, management and expertise. John was outstanding and an absolute pleasure to work with. He achieved a phenomenal price, and an amazing result! -Jayne Fenton | March 2022 John Kasapi receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. John really prides himself on offering his clients exceptional customer service, combined with his wealth of sales and industry knowledge. He has “been there and done that”, as he has owned his own business, and he has worked in many top salons around the world – and has experienced everything this industry has to offer. Get to know more about John Kasapi and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. John Kasapi is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.