VDE Asset Management – Agent Due Diligence Reminder – An Interesting Read!

The world has undergone significant transformations, not all of which have been positive.

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous businesses have undergone significant transformations, often shifting towards models that prioritise self-interest and profit maximisation. This trend, typically driven by opportunistic motives, has resulted in increased revenues across various leading sectors, including major supermarkets, fuel refinery groups, and utility services, among others. Many companies justify their actions by citing external challenges such as prior government deficits, geopolitical conflicts, and the repercussions of Brexit. This opportunistic mindset cascades down to subsequent tiers of businesses, exacerbating these issues. Rather than fostering support for the entire business community, these actions ultimately jeopardise the day to day survival of business enterprises across the UK.

Even within our industry, certain organisations are taking advantage of current circumstances by imposing inflated buyer premiums, typically between 20% and 25%. Although some claim to sell assets without charging fees to sellers, this practice effectively obscures the reality that they are, in fact, exploiting buyers. Consequently, buyers often bid lower, as their available funds are significantly reduced. I leave it to you to determine what constitutes fair practice versus what does not.

At VDE Asset Management, we are committed to fostering positive change. We aim to lead this transformation by actively supporting British businesses, particularly our Great British Farmers, Great British Construction and Motor Industries, who are in dire need of Financial Help.

We facilitate the sale of their assets at no cost and return 50% of our own buyer’s premium on all assets sold on their individual behalf. Furthermore, we are reducing our buyer’s premium to a more reasonable 5% and 2%, which enhances the likelihood of higher bids and encourages participation that may not typically occur in today’s markets.