Frequently Asked Questions


Is Arch a trade buyer?

No, we are fundamentally different from traditional trade buyers. While many strategic deals result in significant employee turnover and disruptive integrations, Arch is dedicated to preserving the existing team and company culture. (Spoiler: we’re not here to play musical chairs with employees.)

We do not interfere with day-to-day management or operational decisions, instead whole-heartedly trusting our management teams to run their businesses effectively (Spoiler: we actually believe in the people we back). Unlike trade buyers who seek to integrate companies and realize immediate synergies, we focus on preserving what works, and supporting what’s next.

Is Arch a private equity fund?

Arch is distinctly different from typical private equity firms. Private equity investors are usually required to divest their investments within five years to return funds to their investors. (Spoiler: the clock is always ticking for them.)

In contrast, our capital comes from our own pockets and is committed indefinitely - we have no intention of selling the companies we acquire. Where private equity firms often implement aggressive growth strategies that can create internal cultural shock, we measure success differently. (Spoiler: we don’t need hockey-stick graphs to justify our existence.) We do not rely on time-sensitive metrics like Internal Rate of Return (IRR), allowing us to be extraordinarily patient and focus on long-term stability.

How would you describe Arch?

A best-of-both worlds succession solution. We’re a perpetual owner of private businesses without external investors to report to—full decision-making authority to acquire a company remains with us at the holding company, where we invest our own capital. (Spoiler: no LPs breathing down our necks.)

Having explored multiple entrepreneurship models inside and out, we believe that a decentralized entrepreneurship culture delivers the best results—culturally, operationally, commercially, and financially. While opportunistic cross-selling synergies are welcome over time, they will always be driven by our management teams and never enforced by the holding company. (Spoiler: we don’t do forced synergies—ever.)

What’s life like under Arch ownership?

At Arch, we back strong leaders while keeping things simple and aligned. Here’s what to expect:

  • Direct partnership: The people you meet during the deal are the same people you'll work with—no bureaucracy, no middle management. (Spoiler: No surprise “strategic advisors” appearing out of nowhere to implement cost cutting measures)

  • Support when you need it: We’re always available as a sounding board, offering experience, connections, and operational insights.

  • Key decisions, not daily ops: We trust you to run the business. We only weigh in on major investments, major business decisions, and key person remuneration.

  • Aligned incentives: leaders keep or acquire a meaningful stake (ideally 20-40%) and are rewarded like true owners. (Spoiler: No “mystery fees” cutting into your profits)

  • Focus on growth: We help leaders step back from the daily grind to think bigger and improve strategically through our growth toolkit.

In short, you stay in control—just with a long term partner by your side.

What’s special about your acquisition process?

We’ve seen the bad and the ugly. Time is money—and since we invest our own, we can’t afford to play games with sellers and advisors. We turn complex M&A into a streamlined journey by keeping in-house what others clumsily outsource (spoiler: they get paid to do deals and invest other people’s money).

From the first meeting to the final handshake, our process typically takes 5–6 months—not because we’re geniuses, but because we’re pragmatic. By managing key workstreams internally, we avoid distractions and unnecessary headaches.

Most private businesses struggle to break the £/€10M revenue threshold (Spoiler: we know why—and are working on our secret sauce!). So, does it make sense for a third-party provider to send a 50-FTE business owner an information request list with 400 questions just to check boxes? How would that make us look?

We believe in rolling up our sleeves and working with management teams as soon as we align on price—not after the deal is done. 

What is Arch’s approach to career development?

We believe in transforming lives through meaningful career opportunities—because we were once on the receiving end of that transformation ourselves. (Spoiler: we weren’t born with silver spoons in our mouths.)

We were lucky to meet inspiring leaders and build successful corporate careers, and now we’re committed to paying it forward. Our long-term vision is to nurture talent from entry-level positions to leadership roles, creating an environment where potential is recognized, developed, and rewarded. (Spoiler: we know firsthand that the right break at the right time can change everything.)