New consultancy targets better outcomes for sellers and investors
A Gateshead-based advisory firm has been launched to help business owners strengthen their technology and data foundations ahead of sales and investment processes. The consultancy, Washington Baltic, is led by North East software entrepreneur Michael Peacock, who has advised on more than 150 complex transactions over a career spanning two decades.
Peacock, who is based in Sunderland, said the service is designed for owners preparing to sell, companies seeking fresh capital, organisations weighing a public market listing and buyers looking to assess technology risk before making an acquisition. The firm will focus on areas that routinely come under scrutiny during due diligence, including software architecture, data management, information security, artificial intelligence usage and broader IT operations.
“Technology, software and security are rarely the reason a business doesn’t sell, but they can have a significant impact on how attractive a company appears to potential buyers,” he said. “We help businesses identify and mitigate any areas that need attention ahead of time, but just as importantly we help them tell the story of what they’re already doing well.”
Why tech readiness matters in a sale
While many owners understand the commercial strengths of their firms, buyers and their advisers often require clear evidence of how technology supports scale, resilience and compliance. In practice, that can mean demonstrating reliable product roadmaps, documented processes, maintained codebases, robust cybersecurity and sensible data governance — all factors that can influence perceived risk and, ultimately, value.
Peacock argues that translating operational strengths into a format that resonates with investors is frequently where deals can be won or lost. He noted that sellers who have never experienced a transaction can be surprised by the depth of questioning on systems and controls. Early preparation, he suggests, helps avoid last‑minute surprises and reduces the chances of price chips or extended timelines.
What Washington Baltic says it will do
The consultancy plans to work with founders, private equity–backed companies and acquisitive corporates across the North East and beyond. According to Peacock, the work will centre on independent assessments and practical improvements, coupled with clear documentation for buyer review.
| Focus area | What buyers look for |
|---|---|
| Software & architecture | Maintainable code, scalability, licensing clarity |
| Data security & privacy | Policies, access controls, incident response |
| AI & automation | Transparent use, risk management, governance |
| IT systems & resilience | Backups, disaster recovery, vendor oversight |
Peacock’s background began in software engineering, initially through a web design venture and later a Software‑as‑a‑Service business. He subsequently moved into advisory roles across first‑time sellers, private equity and venture capital portfolios, and acquisitive groups. Over that period he says he has developed a clear view of what investors, insurers and legal teams expect to see when assessing a company’s technology posture.
Implications for Gateshead’s SME community
For owner‑managers around Gateshead and the wider Tyneside economy, the arrival of a locally based specialist may provide additional capacity in a market where due diligence has become more exacting. Technology factors are not usually the headline reason a deal proceeds or fails, but unresolved issues can create delays, concessions on price or heavier warranty negotiations. Preparing evidence — from security certifications to software documentation and third‑party contract clarity — can streamline buyer reviews.
- Early gap analysis can surface remediations before a data room opens.
- Clear narratives about systems, product roadmaps and risks help investors assess value more quickly.
- Buyer confidence rises when technology risk is understood, costed and actively managed.
What owners can do now
Companies considering a sale or investment round typically begin with internal housekeeping. That can include inventorying software assets and licences, mapping data flows, tightening access controls, validating backups and recovery, and documenting third‑party dependencies. Where artificial intelligence is in use, governance frameworks and records of training data and decision oversight are increasingly requested by buyers.
Peacock emphasised that the goal is not solely to fix shortcomings but to showcase strengths that already exist within the business:
“The aim is to ensure buyers fully understand both the strengths and any challenges before they enter a transaction.”
As scrutiny of digital infrastructure grows across sectors, the launch of Washington Baltic adds another specialist voice to the region’s advice market. For Gateshead firms contemplating their next step — whether succession, growth capital or strategic sale — the message is consistent: put technology on the front foot, explain it clearly, and do it early.
