Securing the Future and Legacy of Your Irish Business
I am a hands-on Irish owner-manager looking to buy and run an established business. I work directly with retiring owners of any business but mainly interested in fire safety, air conditioning, security, building consultancy, engineering and property management companies nationwide — a confidential handover that protects your staff, your name and the business you built.
About the principal
An Owner-Manager, Not a Fund
I am a Chartered Building Surveyor and an active Irish business owner, not a fund manager. I set up and still run a successful multi-person surveying and professional services firm with a full-time team serving clients across Ireland — so weekly payroll, client management, field teams, insurance renewals and compliance deadlines are part of my week, not a line in a spreadsheet.
That day-to-day experience shapes how I approach buying a business. I understand what it takes to win contracts, hold on to good engineers and technicians, and keep a reputation intact over decades. I know your staff are people you hired, trained and trusted, and that your name is on the door for a reason.
My aim is simple: to take over a well-run Irish business from an owner who is ready to step back, keep it running as it should, and grow it carefully from a solid base. Every conversation is direct, discreet and between the two of us.
Chartered Building Surveyor · Based in Dublin · Direct, owner-to-owner dealings
01Respecting Your Legacy
Keeping your company name, culture, and staff intact. What you built continues under the same banner.
02Pragmatic Deals
Simple, transparent valuations without corporate bureaucracy, committee approvals, or moving goalposts.
03Smooth Handover
Handover timelines to suit you — step back over a few weeks or stay involved for a year or more.
What we look for
Our Investment Criteria
We are actively seeking acquisition opportunities matching the following profile:
Sectors
- Fire Safety — Alarm & Emergency Lighting Maintenance (IS 3218 / IS 3217)
- Air Conditioning & HVAC Services
- Security Systems & Access Control
- Building Consultancy & Compliance
- Engineering & Technical Services
- Property Management Companies
Geography
- Nationwide opportunities across Ireland
- Core focus: Leinster & Greater Dublin
- Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Louth, Carlow & Kilkenny
Financials
- €1.5M – €3.5M annual revenue
- €250k – €600k EBITDA / operating cash flow
- 40%+ contracted or re-occurring revenue
Team & Operations
- Operational management layer or General Manager in place
- Solid client reputation and retention
- 10 – 25 staff
Why Owners Choose an Owner-Manager Over a Corporate Fund
Corporate / Private Equity Buyer
- Aggressive cost-cutting from day one
- Brand stripped and folded into a group
- High debt leverage placed on the business
- Rigid terms dictated by an investment committee
- Analysts who have never run an operation
Irish Business Buyer
- Protecting staff, roles and existing pay structures
- Honouring your company name, heritage and client relationships
- Sensible structures and seller notes tailored to you
- Flexible negotiation, owner to owner
- A working owner-manager who has met a payroll
Succession
The Confidential Process
Four clear steps, at your pace, with complete discretion at every stage.
- 1
Initial Coffee & NDA
A discreet, informal conversation about your goals and timing. Nothing leaves the room, and an NDA is signed before any figures are discussed.
- 2
Valuation & Structure
A simple financial review of your accounts, followed by a clear, fair proposal explained in plain language.
- 3
Formal Agreement
Heads of Terms agreed, then collaborative due diligence run quietly and without disruption to your team or clients.
- 4
Completion & Transition
Closing the deal and executing a smooth handover on the timeline that suits you and your staff.
Common questions
What Business Owners Usually Ask First
Straight answers on sectors, confidentiality and what happens to your team.
- What types of businesses do you acquire?
- We acquire established Irish businesses in fire safety, air conditioning and HVAC, security systems and access control, building consultancy and compliance, engineering or technical services, and property management. We look for profitable, owner-managed firms with a stable team and recurring or repeat revenue.
- Are you a private equity fund?
- No. Irish Business Buyer is a hands-on Irish owner-manager, not private equity. The principal is a Chartered Building Surveyor who set up and still runs a successful surveying practice, so every conversation is direct and owner to owner, with no committee, no fund mandate and no forced exit timetable.
- Is my enquiry confidential?
- Yes. Every conversation is treated as strictly confidential. Nothing is shared with staff, customers, suppliers or competitors, and we are happy to sign a non-disclosure agreement before any detailed information is exchanged.
- Which parts of Ireland do you cover?
- We consider opportunities nationwide across Ireland, with a core focus on Leinster and the Greater Dublin area.
- What happens to my staff after the sale?
- Continuity is the priority. We buy businesses to keep running and grow them, so the team, the name and the customer relationships stay in place rather than being stripped out or merged away.
- How long does a confidential sale process take?
- Most transactions move from first conversation to completion within three to six months, depending on how prepared the accounts and contracts are and how quickly the seller wants to move.
Confidential
Start a Confidential Conversation
Whether you are planning to retire in 6 months or 3 years, let's explore options in total confidence.
No brokers, no bidding lists, no wider market exposure.
You deal with the owner directly, every time.
A single conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing.
Strict confidentiality guaranteed. I am happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) before we discuss any sensitive financial or trading information.