Hugh Bird has launched in Toronto to help real estate company founders sell part or all of their business as part of the succession-planning process.
The company announced that it is an origination and transaction advisory firm focused on helping founders of established operating companies and specialty real estate businesses evaluate full or partial sales, strategic partnerships and succession alternatives.
The firm works directly with business owners, connecting them with family offices, search funds, private-equity firms, strategic acquirers and long-term capital partners. In select situations, Hugh Bird also co-invests alongside buyers and investors.
The company said it is launching as a growing number of Canadian private business owners prepare to retire. Hugh Bird noted that, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, 76% of small business owners plan to exit within the next decade, representing more than $2 trillion in assets, while only 9% have a formal succession plan. Hugh Bird said it combines a technology-enabled origination platform with data-driven research to identify businesses before they come to market.
The firm was founded by Greg Peacock and Chris Taylor. Peacock has led more than $1.5 billion in commercial real estate transactions and co-founded Pantone Investment Management, which deployed more than $40 million of equity across 13 self-storage properties.
Taylor began his career in investment banking at RBC Capital Markets, where he advised on more than $5 billion in transactions. He later helped launch a $300-million investment fund, served as chief financial officer at two scaling companies and led operations at a large-scale third-party logistics provider.
Hugh Bird said it takes on a limited number of mandates at a time, with its partners personally involved throughout due diligence, buyer outreach and negotiations.
“The strongest opportunities move through trusted relationships,” said Peacock, who is also a managing partner in the new firm. “Our role is to earn that trust early, understand what matters to the owner and help create the right outcome when the timing is right.”
“Founders are making decisions about people, legacy and what comes next,” added Taylor, who is also a managing partner. “We built Hugh Bird to give owners a more personal and aligned path through a sale, partnership or succession.”
Hugh Bird said it is actively building relationships with owners, advisors, investors and intermediaries across North America.
Pictured: Hugh Bird’s Kemptville Mini-Storage in Eastern Ontario
Photo: Hugh Bird