JOSEPH SHARP

Sectors / Support

Professional Services.

Understanding Financial Performance  

“No two weeks are ever quite the same, which is one of the aspects of the role I enjoy most. A large part of my time is spent working closely with clients to understand their objectives and then working to ensure I can deliver the required output. 

On sell-side mandates, that means developing a detailed understanding of the business so that we can present it accurately and effectively to the market. It is important that we fully understand the financial performance, how the business operates and key areas of interest to potential buyers, enabling us to represent our clients with confidence throughout the transaction process. 

On a valuation, we will spend time working with Management to understand the P&L in depth to ensure we are presenting a view of profit that adequately reflects the ongoing position of the company.”

Maximising Client Success 

“Having worked in various roles connected to M&A, I’ve particularly enjoyed working closely with SMEs and business owners given the tangible impact you feel your work can have on their lives and businesses. 

Working in Corporate Finance you get exposure to so many different types of transactions and day-to-day jobs, varying from detailed numerical analysis to negotiating with potential Buyers – I really enjoy the breadth of work. 

I’ve seen many M&A processes fail because the business cannot stand up to scrutiny from the Buyer during diligence. Having come from a diligence and accounting background, I’m well positioned to ensure I can advise my clients on what they need to have in place before going to market to maximise the chance of success for a transaction.”

Holistic Views and Communication are Key 

“One of the most valuable lessons I have learned throughout my career is the importance of taking a holistic view of a business rather than focusing solely on a single area of expertise. 

Communicating clearly or getting lost in the detail and messaging can be one of the greatest challenges. I like to go back to basics and ensure anything I am presenting or explaining could be understood by someone with no knowledge of the topic.” 

Building Strong Relationships   

“For me, successful client relationships start with delivering excellent work and dependable support. From there, I focus on being approachable and easy to work with, building trusted relationships that clients value and rely on. 

I’ve worked on many disposal transactions where the client is under a lot of pressure and facing very tight timelines. Despite the intensity of the situation, I’ve managed to build strong client relationships through ensuring that I’m proactive, friendly and clear in my communications. 

I’ve developed a large network of contacts through my 10 years in London, and I am looking forward to building this network further in Bristol and the South West through meeting and developing relationships with a wide range of intermediaries.” 

Discovering Client Strengths Through Data 

“A recent example of a client challenge I helped solve involved digging into the data of a client to help them present their business in a way that brought out the strengths for potential buyers to be aware of. The work resulted in some unprompted feedback to others at my firm and in the market on the work performed – always nice!” 

A Passion for Understanding

“Having the opportunity to grow and build a network across the South West, while benefiting from the support and credentials of the wider AAB organisation, is an exciting prospect. As I establish new relationships in the region, I’m keen to draw on one of my key strengths: developing a deep understanding of my clients’ businesses through detailed financial analysis and insight into their core operations. 

By combining this understanding with the expertise of colleagues across AAB’s service lines, I can bring together the right insights and specialist support to help clients achieve their goals.”