Mazars advises RFA Advertising on its transition to employee ownership

Mazars, the international audit, tax and advisory firm, has advised RFA Advertising, a pharmaceutical and life sciences marketing agency, on its transition to employee ownership.

The sale completed on 31 July 2023 and will allow the business to continue serving its international customer base which includes some of the largest global pharmaceutical companies.

Based in Oxford, RFA has been operating for over 20 years delivering branding solutions, strategic direction, creative inspiration and digital expertise for some of the largest international pharmaceutical companies.

The deal means the business is now majority owned by the 28 employees and ensures the future continuation of the RFA brand and team.

Mazars said that the shareholders decided to pursue an EOT as they felt it was “the best way to reward their staff for their dedication and hard work over the years, ensuring the key values remain as the business looks ahead to the future”.

Mazars was the lead financial advisor on the deal and supported in negotiating transaction structuring, debt advisory and tax structuring.

RFA was advised on the sale by Dave Hilton, Luke Seymour, Jon Capper and Ollie Maddock from Mazars’ M&A Deal Advisory function. Emma Thomas and Daniel Finn from Brabners Corporate team also advised on the deal alongside CN Strategic Advisors.

Luke Seymour, M&A manager at Mazars, said: “This deal represents a fantastic result for both the outgoing Shareholders and the employees of the Business, and it has been a pleasure to advise on this deal. The Shareholders have built a highly successful business with an impressive global customer base. I am sure the Business will continue to go from strength to strength as it transitions into employee ownership.”

Rod Fraser, director and shareholder of RFA, added: “From coming up with an exit solution that perfectly complemented our needs right through to final execution, our team of advisers – From Mazars David, Luke, Jon and Ollie and from Brabners Emma and Dan guided us seamlessly through the process of RFA’s transition to becoming an EOT-owned business. They metaphorically held our hands throughout in a friendly but highly professional manner and everyone here at RFA is delighted with the eventual outcome.”