Acquisition criteria for the UK and Dubai
What We Look For
Overview
A direct buyer with clear criteria
Empire Acquisitions Group is a direct acquirer, not a broker or intermediary. We buy businesses to own and develop them for the long term. Our criteria reflect the kinds of businesses we have the experience and capital to acquire, operate and grow.
These criteria are designed to give business owners and their advisers a clear picture of what we are looking for. If your business broadly fits the profile below, we would welcome a confidential conversation. If it does not fit precisely, we will still consider unusual or strategically valuable opportunities on their individual merits.
Deal size and valuation
£500,000 – £5 million
Enterprise value or asking price · Equivalent AED amounts considered
We are a self-funded acquirer. We do not require bank financing or external investment to complete a transaction, which means we can move at a pace that suits the seller.
Criteria
Core acquisition criteria
We look for businesses that meet most of the following characteristics. No business will satisfy every point perfectly — we assess each opportunity as a whole.
Proven trading history
An established business with a demonstrable track record.
We look for businesses that have been trading for a meaningful period — typically three years or more. We want to see that the business has operated through different conditions and demonstrated its ability to sustain itself. Start-ups and pre-revenue businesses are outside our current focus.
Consistent revenue and profitability
Reliable financial performance with sustainable margins.
We look for businesses generating consistent revenue and operating profitably. We do not require exceptional margins, but we do need to see that the business produces a reliable surplus. Businesses with highly volatile or unpredictable earnings are harder for us to assess and are less likely to meet our criteria.
Capable management or dependable employees
A team that can continue to operate the business effectively.
We look for businesses where there is a capable team in place — whether that is a management layer, experienced staff, or key employees who understand the operation. We do not require the existing owner to remain post-completion, but we do need confidence that the business can continue to function without them from day one.
Recurring customers or reliable contracts
Predictable income from established customer relationships.
Businesses with a loyal, recurring customer base or contracted revenue are particularly attractive to us. We look for evidence that the business is not dependent on a single customer, and that its revenue is not entirely transactional or one-off in nature.
Opportunities for sensible growth
A clear path to developing the business further under new ownership.
We look for businesses where there is a credible opportunity to grow — whether through additional investment, operational improvement, geographic expansion or market development. We do not need a business to be growing at the point of acquisition, but we do need to see a realistic path forward.
Owners ready for their next chapter
Retirement, succession planning or a change of direction.
We work best with owners who have a genuine motivation to sell and are ready to complete a transaction within a reasonable timeframe. We understand that the decision to sell is significant and we approach every conversation with discretion and respect. We do not pressure owners to proceed and we do not require exclusivity at the outset.
Sectors
Target sectors
We have direct operating experience across the following sectors and actively seek acquisitions within them. We will also consider businesses in adjacent or related sectors where there is a clear strategic rationale.
Aviation
Charter operations, ground handling, aviation services, maintenance and support businesses. We have direct experience in this sector across the UK and Gulf region.
Logistics and distribution
Last-mile delivery, specialist freight, distribution networks and logistics support businesses. We look for operations with established customer relationships and reliable contracted revenue.
Specialist services
B2B service businesses with a defined specialism, a loyal client base and barriers to entry. We are particularly interested in businesses where the service is difficult to replicate quickly.
Manufacturing
Precision engineering, specialist manufacturing and production businesses with established order books. We look for operations with skilled workforces and defensible market positions.
Property-related services
Property management, facilities management, maintenance and related service businesses in the UK and Dubai. We have significant experience operating in both markets.
Furniture and interiors
Bespoke furniture, commercial interiors and fit-out businesses with established trade and retail relationships. We look for businesses with a strong reputation and a skilled production team.
Established B2B operations
Well-run owner-managed businesses serving other businesses, across a range of sectors not listed above. If the business is profitable, established and has a capable team, we want to hear about it.
Geography
Geography
We acquire businesses in two primary markets. Our presence in both gives us the ability to assess and complete transactions without relying on third parties.
No regional restriction within the UK
United Kingdom
We actively acquire businesses across England, Scotland and Wales. We have no geographic restriction within the UK and are able to travel to meet owners and visit operations anywhere in the country.
Established presence in Dubai · UAE-wide
Dubai and the UAE
We have an established presence in Dubai and actively seek acquisitions across the UAE. We understand the local regulatory environment, business culture and transaction process.
Exclusions
What we do not acquire
The following are outside our current acquisition focus. This is not an exhaustive list, but it covers the most common enquiries we are unable to progress.
Start-ups and pre-revenue businesses
We require a proven trading history. We do not invest in businesses that have not yet demonstrated their ability to generate consistent revenue.
Businesses requiring significant turnaround
We are not a turnaround investor. We look for businesses that are fundamentally sound and profitable, not businesses in financial distress or requiring substantial restructuring.
Retail and consumer-facing businesses
We focus primarily on B2B and service businesses. Consumer retail, restaurants, bars and similar consumer-facing operations are generally outside our focus.
Businesses valued above £5 million
Our current acquisition focus is on businesses with an enterprise value up to £5 million. Larger transactions are outside our current scope, though we will consider exceptional opportunities.
Businesses outside the UK and UAE
We currently acquire only in the United Kingdom and the UAE. We do not have the operational presence to acquire and manage businesses in other geographies at this time.
Next steps
What happens next
If your business meets our criteria — or you think it might — the next step is a confidential conversation. There is no obligation to proceed at any stage.
01
Get in touch
Contact us directly or through your adviser. We will respond promptly and treat your enquiry as strictly confidential from the outset.
02
Initial conversation
A private discussion — by phone or in person — to understand your business, your situation and your objectives. No paperwork, no commitment.
03
Basic information
If there is a potential fit, we will ask for a small amount of financial and operational information to allow us to form a view. We keep this stage as light as possible.
04
Indicative proposal
We set out our indicative terms in a clear, straightforward document. No jargon, no unnecessary complexity.
05
Due diligence and documentation
A structured process managed with your advisers and ours. We keep due diligence proportionate to the size and complexity of the transaction.
06
Completion and handover
A planned transition that protects the business, its staff and its customers. We work with you to ensure the handover is orderly and well-managed.
These criteria are guidelines, not absolute requirements. We will always consider unusual or strategically valuable opportunities on their individual merits. If you are unsure whether your business fits, the best course of action is to get in touch.
Does your business fit our criteria?
Whether you are a business owner considering a sale or an adviser representing a client, we welcome a direct, confidential conversation.