John Hood breaks down how he acquired six businesses with 6 million pounds in annual revenue using deferred consideration, seller education, business cash reserves, and disciplined buy and build execution.
Listen to the EpisodeEpisode 326 | Runtime: 26:36 | Audio Episode
Hear John Hood explain how he built a multi million pound acquisition group through structured offers, deferred payments, and seller led funding logic.
Episode
326
Runtime
26:36
Topic
Buy and build acquisitions
Format
Live acquisition masterclass
Three practical lessons from a buyer who acquired multiple businesses without writing personal cheques into the deals.
John explains how surplus cash inside a target company can form part of the consideration when the structure is transparent, tax aware, and discussed early with the seller.
Deferred payments can preserve cash, expose accounting issues after completion, support right of offset protection, and reduce the risk of overpaying for hidden problems.
A buyer who originates, negotiates, funds, and closes an acquisition should build in a legitimate deal fee rather than waiting until everyone else has been paid first.
In this episode, Jonathan Jay interviews John Hood, an experienced M&A professional who used acquisition strategy to build a group of six businesses generating around 6 million pounds in annual revenue. John explains how accountability, structured deal flow, and direct seller conversations helped him move from advisory experience into active business ownership.
The discussion goes deep into practical deal mechanics. John shares how he bought companies using deferred consideration, surplus cash already sitting in the acquired businesses, SPV structures, distressed acquisition logic, and disciplined negotiation. He also explains why buyers must introduce funding structures early, educate sellers clearly, and avoid leaving sensitive money conversations until the end of the process.
John also covers the realities of consolidation, post acquisition risk, accounting issues, working capital, and refinancing deferred consideration once the group reaches scale. The episode is a direct masterclass for acquisition entrepreneurs who want to buy profitable SMEs, build a sector focused group, protect downside risk, and create future exit options through aggregate EBITDA growth.
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