Australia’s Business Brokers

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.

Marigold Lukin , 13 Dec 2018 Everything has fallen into place, I’m a very proud owner of my own salon. I’ve been wanting to own my own salon for some time but never clicked with anything. Then Benchmark contacted me about an opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands and I’m glad I did. Thanks for all your help and guidance

John O , 25 Jul 2019 “Sylvia has been totally professional, knowledgeable and there at every twist and turn. We had a number of problems along the way and each time Sylvia kept the sale on track and took action to get the deal done. At times our emotions got the better of us but  Sylvia made us feel that we were in safe hands. Sylvia, actually found a buyer quickly for our Salon and we settled within 4 months, the purchaser is the perfect fit for my Skin Clinic, allowing me to walk away with confidence and knowing my clients will be in good hands. I strongly recommend Benchmark Salon Sales." Benchmark Business Sales and Valuations

Adrian Giacoboni , 21 Nov 2018 Without the correct process and guidance the risk of damage to value and reputation is high. Glenn Irving representative of Benchmark business sales is a man that leaves no stone unturned. His attention to detail and process ensures that the sale is successfully completed. Glenn is calm methodical and professional.  I have no hesitation in recommending Glenn to anyone wanting there business SOLD.  5 stars. Glenn Irving receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. Glenn Irving showed his flair in this area of design and invention by developing his own patents, design registered and trademark products through his own companies, with many unique products being sold in many different countries. This has translated into a solid knowledge of intellectual property processes and asset management. Get to know more about Glenn Irving and his accomplishments by clicking the "View Profile" button below. Additionally, you can read other Benchmark Business Sales Testimonials from the "Broker" section above. Glenn Irving is a business broker at Benchmark Business Sales & Valuations.

J. Hoppe , 13 Dec 2018 ” I first met Michael from Benchmark Business after I made a phone call to enquire about Benchmark Business, systems and ended up making an appointment to meet with Michael, that was in August 2013. Michael travelled from Brisbane to Toowoomba to meet with me and I was able to find out what he thought he could to sell our business and he found out all he could about our business, my husband, myself and why we wanted to sell. I was quite impressed with what Michael thought he could do to sell our business but I had to convince my husband to go with him as after having a couple of not so good experiences with other big name brokers and feeling ripped off he was very hesitant. Michael was persistent and rang me on average every two months for a chat and to see how we were going and did not pressure me at all. I got so used to his calls if he missed ringing I would ring him and touch base as I did not want to lose contact with him as I felt I could trust him to do the right thing when we were ready to list our business. Early in 2015 we were ready to list the business and property for sale so Michael came and met with my husband Graham and myself and everything went from there, there was only a small fee for the putting together of the business information memorandum for prospective buyers to view, this I felt he had done a great job putting together, the information in it was spot on. There were a few interesting enquiries and many discussions with Michael and I always felt comfortable with him and knew he understood where I was coming from so trust was growing for both of us then in the end of March and early April thing started to get interesting with lots of information going back and forth for several interested parties and by June we thought we had a buyer but then they backed away just before settlement in July, what a disappointment for us and Michael as we had worked so hard. Michael followed up with another party that had shown quite good interest and with lots more to-ing and throwing of information and much patience from both Michael and ourselves we finally got an offer we were happy with and accepted and things progressed from there and Contracts were signed and our business was sold on the 4th of December 2015. During 2015, our eldest daughter was seriously ill and I had to spend many months in Cairns caring for her, which made it very hard at times, but Michael always asked how she was and how I was coping and offered great support, this I greatly appreciated. During the time spent working with Michael over two years to achieve a successful sale, I felt we had built a bond of respect, trust and honest with each other and a friend ship had formed between us which I hope continues for many years. I am thankful I went with my gut feelings and put my trust in Michael of Benchmark Business. ” Yours sincerely J. Hoppe

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.

"John Kasapi was able to negotiate new terms and I am absolutely delighted! “I have known John kasapi for the last 6 years, I have known him as a great hairdresser and now a fantastic business broker. Assignment of lease was quite tricky but John was able to negotiate new terms and I am absolutely delighted to be moving on with my new business ventures. Great job!” John Kasapi is the award-winning Specialist in the sale of hair and beauty salons in the Melbourne, the wider Victorian market and Brisbane. With more than 15 years of experience and working in the hair and beauty industry, he knows and understands the industry and the marketplace much better than most. Winner of the REIV 2019 - Best Business Broker" - Deb Pereira | 18 Mar 2019 John Kasapi receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. John has always been involved with the hair and beauty industry all of his working life, and he offers an in-depth knowledge to all buyers and sellers. He enjoys helping people achieve their dreams, whether it be buying, selling or investing. John really understands that in many cases, a business can be a major asset, so he likes to ensure that the process, whether it be buying or selling, is “smooth sailing” for everyone concerned. 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.

Peter , 19 May 2020 I engage the services of Nikki to help me find a hairdresser to buy my salon. Nikki found a great candidate and worked with her, the management agent and landlord to reach an amicable agreement for the lease. I am happy to say that this is the second time I have dealt with Nikki and she has delivered a quality service each time. Good luck Nikki with your next deal and all the best.

We have sold a few times using benchmark - they have been excellent, supportive and thorough, throughout the whole process. John's communication is five-star and his knowledge of business a godsend in any tricky selling situation. Annie Thorpe. John Kasapi receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. John Kasapi specialises in the sale of hair and beauty salons across all states in Australia. He has more than 15 years of experience working in the hair and beauty industry – so he really knows and understands the industry and the marketplace much better than most. 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.

“I want to say a huge thank you for all your work to help put my salon into the hands of the new owners. We wish them all the success in the future. I can now see why you’re the best business broker around. Thank you so much for your help I’ll certainly be recommending any potential sellers in the future.” Lorna Evans. John Kasapi receives another Benchmark Business Sales Review. John Kasapi specialises in the sale of hair and beauty salons across all states in Australia. He has more than 15 years of experience working in the hair and beauty industry – so he really knows and understands the industry and the marketplace much better than most. 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.