Matt Smith, managing director at leading international b2b marketing consultancy, BDB, has spearheaded a management buyout, with the new executive team acquiring 100% of the share capital from the founders Susanne Bell (now Dixon) and Henry Dixon. Matt is joined by Catherine Butcher (Deputy MD), Jenny Mason and Jon Hallowell on the executive team.
Since Smith’s appointment in 2014, BDB has experienced unprecedented growth. A specialist in b2b marketing communications for over 30 years, BDB has gone from strength to strength – achieving significant new business wins, impressive organic growth, a brand refresh, and the further development of a fully integrated and enhanced international service offering.
BDB’s most recent client wins include Huntsman Advanced Materials, senseFly, MWheels, Flexitallic, Elsevier and MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions, adding to the consultancy’s already impressive client roster of major organisations such as DSM, tna, Tata Steel and Johnson Controls.
Matt comments: “I’m so proud to be leading BDB during this exciting period of development and growth. We have formed a truly formidable team here at BDB, and the deal has been structured to allow future talent the opportunity to share in the ownership. It’s not lost on me that without such a high performing team, BDB would just be one of many average marcomms agencies, scrambling for market share. We recognise, recruit and nurture talent, and we will continue to ensure that the welfare and development of the team sits at the centre of every decision we make.
“Alongside Jon’s vast experience and creative flair, I’m delighted to be joined by Catherine and Jenny – two inspirational women in business – on the executive board. We’ve got the right balance of personalities, profiles and skills to ensure we have the complementary experience, cohesive drive and vision to take BDB on to new levels of success and market dominance, both internationally and in domestic markets.
“I would finally like to thank Sue and Henry. In BDB they established a consultancy on the principles of a deep understanding of international marketing, helped establish new markets for some of today’s biggest names in global trade and created a bedrock of creative and technical marketing capabilities in BDB which puts the consultancy among the best in the world in b2b marketing communications. Without their bravery, foresight and commitment, BDB wouldn’t exist. I know they share in the excitement of seeing how we continue to evolve and where we take BDB.”
The deal has been supported by HSBC, with Ben Bradley and Ryan Niblock of HURST Corporate Finance and David Easdown of Turner Parkinson acting as financial and legal advisers to the MBO team. Ben Bradley said: “It has been a pleasure to advise the BDB management team, led by Matt, on the buyout. With a new leadership team, the company is well-positioned to continue its international growth.
“BDB has significant expansion opportunities and an exciting future ahead. We wish Matt and his team all the best as they take the business forward.”