Q. Do you only operate as a broker or you take financial risks while buying-selling big stakes in target companies?

A. Each transaction is unique. Sometimes a position of a pure broker is more suitable; sometimes we take some risk. In some cases we are even ready to remain shareholders of the target company for the sake of providing a balance of interests and confidentiality of the parties after the transaction is completed.

Q. What’s your fee structure?

A. It depends on the deal structure, on goals and tasks of the parties. If we find it appropriate for a particular transaction, we can work for a success fee only.

Q. Do you only work with St.Petersburg based target companies.

A. As our head office is situated in St.Petersburg, we prefer to work with the companies that are also located in St.Petersburg or in Leningrad region. However, we are always ready to work with an enterprise located elsewhere.

Q. What level of transparency of a target company can you provide?

A. It strongly depends on the company, its owners and managers. We always endeavour to reveal as much data about the company as possible. In most cases a buyer gets enough information. Though one should understand that the Russian corporate culture is not yet as mature as, say, in the USA or in Western Europe.

Q. Do you help in relations with the official organizations?

A. Yes, if authorized we will do most of this work ourselves.

Q. We know of some hostile acquisitions you have conducted. Does it imply that you prefer a hostile way of dealing with target companies?

A. Friendly acquisitions (we have been involved with many) are rarely newsworthy. We have indeed been involved in some hostile transactions, but in all cases we do our best to establish working relationships with the management and to manage any conflicting interests.

We undertake hostile acquisitions only as a last resort where no other option is available.

Q. This is going to be our first acquisition in Russia. What are the main obstacles we are going to meet?

A. Nothing mortal. We will be happy to provide you with a checklist of “do’s and don’ts” tailored to your specific situation.