Choosing suitable, high-quality advisers is one of the most important steps towards flotation.

The numerous considerations involved in joining the Main Market – legal and regulatory, financial and marketing – means that each company needs a team of experienced advisers to guide it through the process.

Corporate adviser
The corporate adviser - usually an investment bank, corporate finance house, stockbroker or accountancy firm − plays a pivotal role in the flotation process, advising the company, liaising with the Exchange and UK Listing Authority (UKLA), and co-ordinating the other advisers.

For some transactions, the UKLA requires the company to appoint a sponsor which will provide the issuer with specific expertise drawn from its involvement in previous transaction, helping to streamline and standardise practices.

The UKLA keeps an up to date list of sponsors − please click here to view the list.

Accountant
The reporting accountant is responsible for reviewing and auditing the company’s finances for potential investors.

Corporate lawyer
The company’s lawyers draw up all the agreements surrounding the flotation. They are also responsible for the due diligence process, which involves verifying statements in the prospectus and other documents.

Corporate broker
The broker is the company’s main interface with the stock market and also with potential investors. As well as advising the company and its sponsor on market conditions and the likely level of demand, the corporate broker also actively markets the shares to potential investors, and advises on the best method of flotation, size of the issue, timing and price.

Financial PR company
The PR adviser is responsible for promoting the company and its prospects to the investment community. In the run-up to the flotation, the PR company helps to create the analyst presentations. Afterwards it will advise on the ongoing investor relations strategy.

	Links
		UKLA list of sponsors


	Downloads
		Guide to the Main Market (PDF 2Mb)
		Practical Guide to Corporate Governance
		Admission and Disclosure Standards
	All download files and external links open in a new window To download Acrobat Reader, click here