External economic factors invariably play the biggest role in determining the most salable time for companies. One of the biggest factors at play are interest rates and as you will probably already know, they are at a record low in both the US & UK, which is great for those considering selling their company.

Members of the Benchmark US team, Steven Keane and Nick Perry, recently completed what many consider the world’s toughest obstacle race. The Tough Mudder is a grueling 12 mile obstacle course designed by British Special Forces to test participants strength, stamina, mental grit, and above all camaraderie.

2012 has seen M&A activity move significantly towards pre-recession levels. The continuing access to capital and finance on the buy side, coupled with stronger balance sheets and soaring appetite for divestiture has meant that deal completions have reached record levels here at Benchmark International. With corporate confidence improving further in addition to the huge levels of cash available to investors under pressure to spend, 2013 looks set to prove even more successful in terms of deals completed.